Namibia ranks 6th globally in alcohol consumption, surpasses South Africa

The latest World Health Organization global status report on alcohol and health shows that Namibia, Afghanistan, the Maldives, and Eswatini have a higher average daily intake than South Africa, with the list topped by Tunisia. Meanwhile, the global prevalence of alcohol dependence is at 2.4 percent, with a legal drinking age average of 18 years worldwide. According to the WHO, overall, 5.1% of the global burden of disease and injury is attributable to alcohol, as measured in disability-adjusted life years. Beyond health consequences, the harmful use of alcohol brings social and economic losses to individuals and society at large.