This higher age is also seen in countries like Egypt, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. Some European nations, such as Austria, Belgium, Denmark, and Luxembourg, set the legal drinking age for certain alcoholic beverages, like beer and wine, at 16 years, while often having a higher age for spirits. It is illegal for individuals under the age of 18 to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages in Hong Kong.

England and Wales Have the Youngest Minimum Age for Drinking

Explore the global landscape of legal drinking ages, understanding the diverse regulations, their underlying reasons, and practical enforcement. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 65 percent of countries allow people 18 years or older to consume alcohol at a bar or restaurant. More than 55 percent of countries allow 18 year olds to buy alcohol at stores to consume off-premise. In the U.S., the drinking age is 21, a law the country shares with only five other countries (although some states like Illinois, Wisconsin and New Hampshire are trying to change that). Letting a young person drink and drive can lead to fatal consequences.

What is the Legal Drinking Age in Europe?

To give an idea of how quirky some of the laws are, when examined up close, take a look at England and Wales. Both are part of the United Kingdom, where laws over who can supply alcoholic beverages and who can purchase alcoholic beverages vary from place to place. Long-term studies reveal that early alcohol exposure increases addiction risk.

What Country Has the Highest Legal Drinking Age?

First, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the local laws and regulations regarding alcohol consumption. Just because the legal drinking age may be lower or higher in a particular country doesn’t mean that the same rules apply to tourists. Some countries may have separate rules for foreigners, or there may be specific restrictions in certain regions or cities. To avoid any legal troubles, make sure you understand the local drinking age and any other relevant laws before indulging in alcohol.

Countries might have age regulations for drinking under several conditions. For instance, for drinking in public, with parents, on private property, with parents’ approval, etc. Or, they might take into account a combination of different conditions. Another consideration was the potential long-term effects of alcohol on the developing brains of teenagers and young adults. Research has shown that the brain continues to develop well into the mid-20s, and the consumption of alcohol during this critical period can have detrimental effects on cognitive function and overall brain development. By raising the drinking age to 21, it was hoped that young adults would be better equipped to make responsible decisions about alcohol consumption and minimize potential long-term harm.

• However, some parts of India have drinking ages as high as 25 to 30 years.
• Countries where 16 year olds are allowed to drink are often used as examples for why the age should be lowered in other countries.
• For cruises leaving from countries with a drinking age under 21 (South America, Europe, Australia), parents may sign a waiver to allow children (18 to 20 year olds) to drink with parental supervision.
• In many Muslim-majority countries, alcohol consumption is often prohibited or heavily restricted for religious reasons, effectively setting a high de facto drinking age.

The government recognized the need for stricter regulations to protect young people and reduce the prevalence of alcohol-related issues among teenagers and young adults. The legal drinking age has long been a topic of debate and controversy around the world. While some countries allow individuals to consume alcohol at a young age, others have strict laws that restrict drinking altogether, or until a person reaches a certain age. From teenagers eagerly awaiting their 18th birthday to Americans celebrating their 21st with a night out, the range of legal drinking age across nations is vast. Let’s take a closer look at the different drinking ages in various countries and the reasons behind them. The primary reason for setting minimum drinking ages is to reduce harm from alcohol use among young people.

FAQ: About the drinking age in China

Studies showed that young people, particularly those under the age of 21, were more likely to be involved in alcohol-related traffic fatalities. By raising the drinking age, it was believed that these numbers would decrease as young adults gained more experience and maturity before consuming alcohol. Iceland has a unique approach to alcohol regulation, with strict laws surrounding its sale and consumption. The legal age for alcohol consumption there was raised from 19 to 20 in 2013 in an effort to combat a growing problem of underage drinking.

The lowered drinking ages, however, coincided with a rise in traffic crashes and fatalities among young drivers. This alarming trend prompted public health advocates and organizations to campaign for raising the drinking age back to 21 to reduce drunk driving and improve road safety. Here’s a breakdown of the minimum legal drinking ages of some countries across the globe. Keep in mind that some countries have no official country with the oldest drinking age minimum, while others make exceptions for private use or certain alcohol types. In the U.S., the legal drinking age has been all over the place over the centuries, from nonexistent to 18 to 21, and just about everything in between.

Understanding Legal Drinking Age Laws

• Most European countries have a legal drinking age of 18 years old and above.
• Beyond that, the young brain itself can be especially susceptible to the deleterious effects of alcohol, which can cause harm to cognitive development.
• But whichever country you land in when arriving in Europe, make sure you have your ID or passport with you, just in case they ask.
• A few countries have no national minimum drinking age, relying on cultural norms or local customs.
• In the UK, you can consume alcohol on private property at 15 years of age, and you must be 18 to drink in public on your own, and to buy alcohol.
• Both are part of the United Kingdom, where laws over who can supply alcoholic beverages and who can purchase alcoholic beverages vary from place to place.

While most nations have a defined minimum legal drinking age, some countries do not enforce a national minimum age for alcohol consumption or purchase. This absence of a national law does not necessarily mean that individuals of any age can freely consume alcohol without restriction. Instead, it often indicates that regulations are either non-existent, left to local jurisdictions, or governed by social and parental norms.

If you are somewhere around these ages, you are probably OK to consume wine or beer in moderation in this country. Discover which nations lack a national minimum drinking age and understand the global nuances of alcohol regulations. Alcohol has been an essential part of Chinese culture for centuries. Chinese society has a long history of producing and consuming alcoholic beverages, with some traditional Chinese drinks such as baijiu and rice wine being popular not only in China but also internationally.