Drinking Ages Around the World
| Country | Drinking Age |
| Bangladesh | Alcohol Prohibited* |
| Barbados | 16 |
| Belarus | 18 |
| Belgium | 18* |
What countries have a legal drinking age of 16?
These Posters Show The Legal Drinking Age In Different Countries Worldwide
- Belgium- 16. A 16-year-old is allowed to have beer and wine. ...
- South Africa- 18. They are considered to be one of the heaviest drinkers, which is why they also thought of changing their legal drinking age to 21.
- Bhutan- 18. ...
- China - 18. ...
- Hong Kong- 18. ...
- Japan- 20. ...
- Indonesia- 21. ...
- Canada* - 19
- India- 18-25*. ...
- Italy. ...
Where can you find a Jod at the age 16?
North Dakota: You can work in this state if you're 14 or older. However, if you are 14 or 15, you must file an "Employment and Age Certificate" with the Department of Labor and Human Rights every time you get a new job. Similar work restrictions apply as they do in the other states mentioned, but from age 16 on up, there are no work restrictions.
What states allow drinking at 18?
- for religious purposes
- for medical purposes
- when reporting medical need due to underage drinking for another minor
Should the drinking age be lowered to 16?
The legal age ought to be lowered to 16, the parents ought to get to pick how young or old their kid is going to be when they start drinking as long it is an affordable age and they are accountable for anything that might take place.
What country lets you drink at 16?
Countries in which the drinking age is 16: Austria — 16 for wine and beer, 18 for spirits. Liechtenstein — 16 for beer and most drinks, 18 for spirits and alcopops/coolers. Lithuania — Though age to purchase is 20. Morocco — Non-Muslims only.
Where is the drinking age 16 Europe?
In Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar, and Denmark, you can also drink beer and wine at 16 years, and you must be 18 to drink harder alcohol such as distilled spirits.
What country can you drink at 15?
MaliThe youngest legal drinking age in the world is 15, with both Mali and the Central African Republic allowing folks to drink at that time. Seven countries do not have a government-mandated drinking age, while 11 countries ban the consumption of booze entirely.
Can you drink at 16 in France?
Unlike most other countries, France has two drinking ages: Young people can drink or purchase wine and beer from the age of 16 and hard liquor from 18. Bartenders and shopkeepers don't usually check the identification cards of their customers, however young.
Can you drink at 16 in Ireland?
Young people and alcohol You must be 18 or over to buy alcohol in Ireland. It is an offence to: Serve alcohol to a person who is under 18. Pretend to be 18 or over in order to buy alcohol.
Can you drink 16 UK?
16- and 17-year-olds Someone aged 16 or 17 and accompanied by an adult, can drink (but not buy) beer, wine or cider with a meal at a licensed premises (except in Northern Ireland). But it's illegal for people this age to drink spirits in a pub anywhere in the UK, even with a meal.
What country can u drink at 13?
Burkina FasoAround the world, the age when it's legal to purchase or be served most alcohol products varies from 13 in Burkina Faso to 25 in Eritrea.
Who is the drunkest country?
Australians have been named the heaviest drinkers in the world in a survey after spending more time drunk in 2020 than any other nation. The international survey found Australians drank to the point of drunkenness an average of 27 times a year, almost double the global average of 15.
What is China's drinking age?
18Since China's underage drinking regulation was passed in 2006, the legal drinking age in the country has been 18. However, on any given Friday or Saturday evening in Beijing, kids from as young as 14 flock to nightclubs and bars in the city's Sanlitun and Gulou neighbourhoods.
What is the drinking age in Japan?
In Japan, the legal adult age is 20. Japanese law prohibits individuals under the age of 20 to drink alcohol or smoke. Regardless of age, you must not force anyone to drink or smoke as it may cause serious health and social consequences.
What's the drinking age in Russia?
eighteenIn Russia, the legal drinking age is usually eighteen. Usually, because there are some exceptions to that case. Technically, stronger alcohol such as cognac and vodka is sold only to those over 21.
Can you drink underage in Paris?
First, the legal drinking age for ALL alcoholic beverages in France is 18. The French government's official website, Service-Public.fr makes it clear on their page on “Drunkenness-Alcoholism” (translated from the French): “Minors cannot buy or consume alcohol in public places.”
What is the legal drinking age?
The majority of countries have a minimum legal drinking age of either 18 or 19-years-old. The most commonly known reason for the law behind the legal drinking age is the effect on the brain in adolescents. Since the brain is still maturing, alcohol can have a negative effect on the memory and long-term thinking.
What is the legal drinking age in South America?
In Central America, the Caribbean, and South America the legal drinking age and legal purchase age varies from 0 to 20 years (see table below). In South America in particular, the legal purchase age is 18 years, with two exceptions:
What is the age limit for drinking liquor in Ontario?
19. Ontario's Liquor Licence Act permits the supply and consumption of liquor to those under the age of 19. However, supplying a person under the age of 19 is restricted to the person's parent or legal guardian, and may only occur in a residence or in a private place of the parent or legal guardian.
What is the legal age to sell alcohol?
The criminal code defines a young person as any person under the age of 18 years.
How old do you have to be to sell alcohol?
21. Selling or serving alcohol to a person under the age of 21 years is punishable with a three hundred dollar fine, imprisonment for nine months, or both. "does not apply to a licensee of a food and beverage license provided that the person under the age of 21 years is under the supervision of an attending parent.".
What is the legal age to buy alcohol in Africa?
The most common minimum age to purchase alcohol in Africa is 16. However, Angola (except Luanda Province), Central African Republic, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Togo have no laws on the books restricting the sale of alcohol to minors. In Libya, Somalia and Sudan the sale, production and consumption of alcohol is completely prohibited.
How old do you have to be to drink alcohol in Zimbabwe?
18. It is prohibited for any person with a liquor license, to sell, serve or supply alcohol beverages to anyone under 18 years of age. Before the Liquor Licensing Act was enacted in 2011, the minimum age to sell, serve and supply alcohol beverages was 14 years. Zimbabwe.
What is the youngest age to drink?
Youngest Drinking Age. Although the majority of the countries around the world have set the MLDA at 18 years, 16 years is considered the youngest drinking age. At least eight countries and regions have set their MLDA at 16 years.
How old do you have to be to drink alcohol in India?
However, some areas in India have drinking ages as high as 25-30 years. In some countries, especially Muslim countries, alcohol is completely banned, with an exception sometimes made for non-Muslims.
What is the legal drinking age in Italy?
Drinking Age In Italy. Italy has set a minimum legal drinking age at 16 years, one of the lowest MLDA in the world. In 2002, Renato Balduzzi, the then Health Minister proposed to raise the minimum drinking age to 18 years.
What is the drinking age in Russia?
Drinking Age In Russia. Most Russians believe that the minimum drinking age in the country is 18 years. However, there are no laws or regulations prohibiting minors from taking alcoholic drinks. On the contrary, selling alcohol to persons under the age of 18 years is prohibited by federal and regional laws and may attract fines and even jail terms.
What countries allow alcohol?
These countries include Barbados, the British Virginia Islands, Cuba, Luxembourg, Panama, Serbia, Serbia, and Zimbabwe. In these countries, it is an offense for anyone to sell, give, or offer alcoholic drinks to people under the age of 16 years. However, in Zimbabwe, a person is allowed to sell or supply alcoholic drinks to children ...
Is it illegal to sell alcohol to a 16 year old?
However, selling alcoholic drinks to children under the age of 18 years in premises is considered illegal and attracts a fine of €250 to €1,000. Giving alcohol to those under 16 years is considered a crime and is punishable by up to one-year imprisonment.
Can a 16 year old drink alcohol in Zimbabwe?
However, in Zimbabwe, a person is allowed to sell or supply alcoholic drinks to children under 16 years upon the proof of a written document signed by parents or guardians of the minor known to the person selling the alcohol.
What age do you start drinking?
For example, adults ages 26 and older who began drinking before age 15 are 5.6 times more likely to report having alcohol use disorder in the past year as those who waited until age 21 or later to begin drinking. 10
Why do teens drink alcohol?
Other reasons young people drink alcohol include: Peer pressure. Increased independence, or the desire for it.
What is the BAC of binge drinking?
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 percent—or 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter—or higher.*.
How many people binge drink in 2019?
In 2019, 4.2 million young people reported binge drinking at least once in the past month. 2. In 2019, 825,000 young people reported binge drinking on 5 or more days over the past month. 2. Image.
How does underage drinking affect people?
The consequences of underage drinking can affect everyone—regardless of age or drinking status. Either directly or indirectly, we all feel the effects of the aggressive behavior, property damage, injuries, violence, and deaths that can result from underage drinking.
Does alcohol affect the brain?
Alcohol can alter this development, potentially affecting both brain structure and function. This may cause cognitive or learning problems and/or increase vulnerability for alcohol use disorder, especially when people start drinking at a young age and drink heavily. 11,12.
Which states have the 21 drinking age?
South Dakota and Wyoming were the final two states to comply with the age 21 mandate. The current drinking age of 21 remains a point of contention among many Americans, because of it being higher than the age of majority (18 in most states) and higher than the drinking ages of most other countries.
When did the drinking age change to 21?
Shortly after the ratification of the 21st amendment in December , most states set their purchase ages at 21 since that was the voting age at the time.
What was the drinking age in the 1960s?
In the 1960s the age for buying or drinking beer and wine in the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) was 18 ; the age for hard liquor was 21. Residents from Virginia and Maryland would often drive to D.C. to obtain alcohol.
What is the legal age to drink beer?
The legal drinking age is 18 for beer and wine, and 21 for liquor. Kansas, Oklahoma, and South Dakota: The legal drinking age is 18 for 3.2% ABV beer, and 21 for beer stronger than 3.2% ABV, wine, and liquor. The alcohol laws of the United States regarding minimum age for purchase have changed over time. In colonial America, generally speaking, ...
When did the drinking age go down?
Many states started to lower their minimum drinking age in response, most of this occurring in 1972 or 1973.
When did the drinking age start to decrease?
Many states started to lower their minimum drinking age in response, most of this occurring in 1972 or 1973. Twelve states kept their purchase ages at 21 since repeal of Prohibition and never changed them.
What age group is considered underage drinking?
The result is that they find the younger age groups to populate parties and gatherings, resulting in a society where severely underaged drinking (10-13 year olds), who are not developed by any standard, are accepted to join in and drink as much as they can.
Why is there no age limit on alcohol?
As already has been stated, health is not the reason for the age limit on alcohol. Rather, it is the idea that youths are not mature enough to behave when under the influence. This can be seen in groups of youths banded together drinking on the street or in secretive places, causing public distress and achieving ASBO's.
What is the leading cause of binge drinking?
This new culture spread by the media and lack of government control is the leading cause of binge drinking culture. The USA, who boast an age limit on alcohol of 21 also boasts some of the worst binge drinking (& gun crime etc.) in the world, with the worst cases of media induced binge culture too.
What age can you drink in Australia?
In Australia the legal drinking age is 18. Most kids have their driver's license at 17. The idea is that kids learn to drive before they are old enough to go to the pub ... and hopefully concentrate on driving safely and effectively before their legal drinking begins.
Can a 15 year old drink alcohol?
But even a 15 year old may drink certain amounts of alcohol with no detrimental affects. It depends on the 15 year old. Everybody should know the effects of alcohol on a young and undeveloped body, so those that actually have those bodies will know not to drink, and their friends and families will know not to let them.
Does drinking affect the youngest?
A new culture of partying and most importantly drinking spreading globally, has it's effects on the youngest among us. Although in a lot of countries, for example Germany, overall teenage drinking is decreasing, the amount that the teenagers who do drink is increasing dramatically.
Is drinking underage dangerous?
In countries across the world, underage drinking is an ever present danger to society. Bin ge drinking is dangerous for our health, but it is even more so for the youth of today; severe liver damage and impaired brain function are common consequences. The social effects of alcohol are also largely negative: ASBO's, assault, loitering, ...