Alcohol consumption in Russia

Main article:

• Alcoholic beverages (Russian market)
• Consumption in Russia

2024

Decrease in alcohol sales by 1.1% to 226.9 million decaliters

According to Rosalkogoltabakkontrol, the total sales of alcoholic beverages in Russia decreased by 1.1% to 226.9 million decaliters in 2024 compared to 229.4 million decaliters in 2023. The statistics were published on January 23, 2025.

According to RBC, the largest drop was recorded in the category of low-alcohol drinks - by 34.7% to 12 million decaliters. The volume of sales of grape-containing drinks without ethyl alcohol decreased by 37.9% to 552.1 thousand decaliters.

Alcohol sales decreased in Russia

Sales of fruit alcoholic beverages decreased by 26% to 9.3 million decaliters. Grape-containing drinks with ethyl alcohol showed a decrease of 7.4% to 1.4 million decaliters.

The category of sparkling wines recorded an increase of 8.6% to 23.5 million decaliters. Sales of liquor wines increased by 7.6% to 1.2 million decalitres, grape wines - by 1.2% to 57.1 million decalitres. The total volume of sales of all categories of wines amounted to 81.9 million decaliters, which is 3.2% more than in 2023.

Vodka sales grew by 0.6% to 76 million decaliters. The sale of alcoholic beverages increased by 17.7% to 16.6 million decalitres, cognac - by 2.1% to 14.1 million decalitres.

In the category "other alcoholic beverages," including gin, rum, whiskey and tequila, there was an increase of 14.4% to 14.4 million decaliters.

The production of alcoholic beverages in Russia in 2024 decreased by 1.8%. Alcohol consumption per capita since the start of the national project "Health" in 2018 has decreased from 14 to 8 liters per person.

In the sales structure, there is a redistribution between categories: with a general decrease in sales volumes, certain segments show growth, while others show a significant reduction.^[1]

The share of non-drinking Russians has doubled in 20 years - up to 48%

In October 2024, it became known about a significant change in the structure of alcohol consumption in Russia. Over the past two decades, the number of citizens who do not drink alcohol has doubled, reaching 48% of the total number of respondents.

According to Vedomosti, citing the results of a survey by the All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VTsIOM), in 2004 the ratio of drinking and non-drinking Russians was 73% to 27%, respectively. By 2024, the situation has changed dramatically: the share of alcohol consumers decreased to 52%, almost equal to the share of teetotalers.

The growth of non-drinking Russians has doubled in 20 years

Kirill Rodin, director for work of VTsIOM with state authorities, notes that over the past 20 years, two key changes have occurred: the volume of alcohol consumption has decreased and the structure of consumption has changed. The expert connects these trends with a systematic approach to the development of a healthy lifestyle, the regulation of places of sale of alcohol and the fight against counterfeit goods.

The study found significant differences in alcohol consumption between generations. Representatives of older age groups are more likely to prefer strong drinks, while young people are inclined to lighter alcoholic drinks or completely abandon alcohol. Among Generation Z, the proportion of non-drinkers reaches 54-61%.

Director of the Institute of Health EconomicsNIU VSHELarisa Popovich explains these trends by changing the information environment and lifestyle requirements. Sobriety is becoming the norm needed for a successful job and career, she said.

The study also showed that the main cause of alcohol abuse remains the desire to relieve stress and tension (38% of respondents). At the same time, Olga Kotova, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Psychiatry of the RUDN University, notes that the younger generation is more open to seeking professional psychological assistance in stressful situations.^[2]

Alcohol consumption in Russia since 2009 has decreased from 14 to 8 liters per person

During the implementation of the national project "Healthcare," alcohol consumption in Russia has almost halved. If in 2009 the figure was approximately 14 liters (ethanol) per person, then by the middle of 2024 it fell to about 8 liters. Such data were disclosed on July 24, 2024 by Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova.

Smoking was widespread in 2009 (nearly 40% of the adult population), she said. By 2024, the figure decreased to 19%, taking into account vapes. Golikova noted that since 2009, health centers have been actively developing, medical prevention rooms have been created, an information campaign and work with the population have begun.

Alcohol consumption in Russia has decreased from 14 to 8 liters per person since 2009

At the same time, according to Rosalkogoltabakkontrol, in the first half of 2024, Russians purchased more than 1 billion liters of alcoholic beverages in retail. This is 4.1% more than in the first half of the previous year. In a traditional half-liter container, all purchased alcohol is equivalent to 2.2 billion bottles. Moreover, these statistics do not take into account beer, beer drinks, cider and mead. It is noted that the growth in sales of alcoholic beverages is observed in parallel with a decrease in consumption.

Vodka is still the most popular alcoholic beverage in Russia: its sales in January-June 2024 rose by about 1% compared to the same period in 2023, reaching 370 million liters. Sales of distillery products (tinctures, liqueurs, gin, whiskey, rum, tequila) rose 14% year-on-year, reaching 75.6 million liters. The demand for cognacs increased by 7.2%, amounting to 68.5 million liters. In addition, in the first half of 2024, Russians bought 99.7 million liters of champagne in retail, which is 12.8% more compared to the first six months of 2023.^[3]

2023

Sales growth of 4.1% to 229.5 million decalitres

In 2023, 229.5 million decalitres (dal) of alcoholic beverages (excluding beer, beer drinks, cider, poiret and mead) were sold in Russia, which is 4.1% more than a year earlier. The market size turned out to be a record for the entire time of observations. This is evidenced by the data released in January 2024 by the Federal Service for the Control of Alcohol and Tobacco Markets (Rosalkogoltabakkontrol).

The market size turned out to be a record for the entire time of observations. The department stressed that it was legal sales of alcohol that increased, while its consumption remains unchanged.

At the same time, the share of the illegal market is decreasing. Evidence of this is the increase in excise tax revenues to the budget. Plus, the consumption structure is gradually changing in favor of wine and brewing products, - the press service of Rosalkogoltabakkontrol told Komsomolskaya Pravda.

According to the President of the Union of Alcoholic Beverages Producers Igor Kosarev, sales of cognac and whiskey in 2023 grew against the background of the development of domestic production of these products after the departure of some foreign brands. There was also a trend towards cheaper cognac and whiskey, as a result of which part of the demand moved from vodka to these drinks, Kosarev noted.

Vadim Drobiz, head of the Center for Research on Federal and Regional Alcohol Markets, linked the growth in alcohol sales in Russia to the "psychological crisis" and "middle-class settlement" - people began to relax less often abroad and travel more often in Russia. It is these people who mainly consume cognac, whiskey, wine, which are growing in terms of sales, the expert believes. He added that alcohol sales are growing mainly in stores, cafes and restaurants account for only 4% of alcohol.^[4]

Over 5 years, the number of points of sale of alcohol in Russia has grown 1.7 times

By the end of 2023, approximately 239.6 thousand points of sale of alcohol were operating in Russia. For comparison, in 2019 their number was about 137 thousand. Thus, over five years, the number of such points has increased 1.7 times, as reported on April 16, 2024 by the Federal Service for the Control of Alcohol and Tobacco Markets (Rosalkogoltabakkontrol).

It is noted that during 2023 the number of points of sale of alcohol increased by 36 thousand compared to the previous year. Of these, almost 25 thousand fell on retail stores and 11 more than thousand - on catering, selling alcohol. Retail sales of alcohol in Russia in 2023 rose by 2.8% compared to 2022, amounting to almost 1.02 billion decaliters. Rosalkogoltabakkontrol believes that this happened primarily due to the "whitewashing" of the market and a reduction in the share of counterfeit products.

By the end of 2023, approximately 239.6 thousand points of sale of alcohol were operating in Russia

At the same time, the number of bars and alcohol stores is growing in Russia. According to estimates, in January 2023 in the Russian Federation there were 10,148 bars, while in August of the same year their number reached 10,626, which corresponds to an increase of 4.7%. The number of alcohol stores during the same period increased from 15,967 to 16,511 outlets - plus 3.4%.

According to the head of Rosalkogoltabakkontrol Igor Aleshin, the amount of excise taxes received for ethyl alcohol, alcoholic and alcohol-containing products from 2018 to 2023 increased by 114 billion rubles - from 358.6 billion in 2018 to more than 472 billion rubles in 2023. The amount of excise taxes on strong alcohol received additionally exceeded 165 billion rubles.

At the same time, Aleshin said that a number of problematic issues remain in the industry, for the solution of which a whole range of initiatives is proposed. The need to strengthen control over the production and circulation of alcohol-containing products in the form of perfume and cosmetic products, which are a surrogate of alcohol, was noted; the introduction of a register of brewery retailers; continue to work to reduce the administrative burden on business, etc.^[5]

Alcohol sales in Russia for 10 years decreased by 21.5%

In September 2024, it became known that in 2023, compared to 10 years ago, alcohol sales decreased by 21.5%, which was one of the most important results of the anti-alcohol campaign in the country. This is stated in the new state report of Rospotrebnadzor at the end of 2023. Compared to 2014, the volume of alcohol consumption per capita decreased to 6.5 liters of ethanol per person. However, despite this significant progress, the target recorded in the national project "Demography," by 2023 - 6.08 liters, has not yet been achieved.

As they write, Izvestia the largest decline is observed in the categories of alcoholic beverages. Sales of cognac in 2023 decreased by 20.7% to 0.95 liters per person, and vodka and distilleries showed a drop of 19.5% to 6.1 liters. The decline in interest in spirits is largely due to policies states aimed at reducing alcohol consumption and increasing demand for lower spirits such as wine and beer.

Alcohol sales in Russia decreased by 21.5%

The reduction in alcohol consumption also had a positive effect on the decrease in the number of acute poisoning with alcohol-containing products. In the period from 2014 to 2023, the number of poisonings decreased by 34%, and fatal cases - by 29.9%, which was the result of comprehensive measures to combat the illegal circulation of alcoholic beverages and tightening sales rules.

The Ministry of Finance also stressed the importance of systemic measures aimed at improving public health. These initiatives are included in the Concept for reducing alcohol consumption in Russia until 2030. Among the key measures are reducing the consumption of unauthorized alcohol-containing products, controlling the illegal circulation of alcohol and adopting new rules aimed at reducing the consumption of strong drinks.^[6]

Reducing alcohol consumption to 8.44 litres of ethanol per capita

According to the results of 2023, alcohol consumption in Russia amounted to 8.44 liters of ethanol per capita against 9.43 liters in 2018. This is evidenced by the data of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, published in April 2024.

According to the Concept for reducing alcohol consumption for the period until 2030, which was approved by the Government of the Russian Federation, by this time it is planned to reduce alcohol consumption for each resident of Russia to 7.8 liters of ethanol.

Alcohol consumption in Russia at the end of 2023 amounted to 8.44 liters of ethanol per capita

The concept until 2030 sets the main tasks to strengthen the values ​ ​ of a healthy lifestyle, the development of a system for the prevention of alcohol abuse, as well as the development of a system of medical rehabilitation, social adaptation and resocialization of persons with alcohol dependence, the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

Within the framework of this document, the following measures are planned:

• strengthening preventive measures, including improving the practice of early detection of harmful alcohol consumption and preventive counseling, as well as measures aimed at increasing adherence to clinical monitoring;
• development and implementation of additional measures to reduce the inappropriate consumption of medicines, perfumes and cosmetics and other alcohol-containing liquids containing alcohol;
• countering illegal production and circulation of alcoholic beverages, avoiding the payment of excise taxes on alcoholic, alcohol-containing products and ethyl alcohol;
• expanding the participation of Russian regions and municipalities in the development and adoption of measures, replicating the best municipal, regional and corporate programs to reduce alcohol consumption;
• attracting socially oriented non-profit organizations, which will strengthen the effectiveness of measures taken and increase social participation.^[7]

Record sales of strong alcohol over 7 years - 7.2 liters per capita

In 2023, a record volume of strong alcohol was sold in Russia - 7.2 liters per capita. This is 3.6% more than the volume of sales of vodka, cognac and distillery products stronger than 25 degrees in 2022. This is evidenced by data from FinExpertiza analysts published on February 26, 2024.

According to the study, the Far East and the Northwest account for the largest consumption of spirits. In 2023, the highest retail sales of strong alcohol per capita were recorded in Karelia (16.1 liters per person per year), Sakhalin Region (15.1 liters), Komi Republic (14.7 liters), Magadan Region (14 liters) and Arkhangelsk Region (13.1 liters). At the same time, the lowest sales of vodka and cognac remain in the Caucasian regions: in Chechnya (less than 0.1 liters per person in 2023), Ingushetia (0.6 liters), Kabardino-Balkaria (1.3 liters), North Ossetia (1.3 liters) and Dagestan (1.4 liters). The leader in wine consumption is St. Petersburg, where in 2023 about 11 liters of drink were sold for each resident

Vodka accounted for about two-thirds of spirits sales in 2023. At the same time, the consumption of this drink decreased, albeit slightly - by 0.2%, to 5.3 liters per person. Sales of cognac - to one liter per person - and other hot drinks stronger than 25 degrees increased by about 10% in 2023.

Beer remained the most popular alcoholic beverage among Russians in 2023. According to FinExpertiza, brewing products are sold on average 3.5 times more than all other types of alcohol. In 2023, stores, restaurants and bars sold and spilled 53.3 litres of beer and beer drinks (as well as cider, poiret and mead) per capita, a 2.6% increase over a year ago.^[8]

The Government of the Russian Federation approved the concept of reducing alcohol consumption until 2030

The Government of the Russian Federation approved the concept of reducing alcohol consumption until 2030. This was reported in the press service of the Russian Ministry of Health on December 15, 2023.

According to TASS, referring to the statement of the department, the main goals of the document are:

• reducing alcohol consumption, as well as the morbidity, disability and mortality associated with its consumption;
• strengthening the values ​ ​ of a healthy lifestyle;
• development of the alcohol abuse prevention system;
• development of a system of medical rehabilitation, social adaptation and resocialization of persons with alcohol dependence.

In addition, as noted by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, the concept is aimed at strengthening the prevention of alcohol use by improving ways to early detect harmful alcohol use. The concept also includes measures to reduce the off-target consumption of medicines and perfumes containing alcohol.

The main result of the implementation of the concept should be a decrease in actual indicators of alcohol consumption per capita. So if, in 2023, such an indicator is 8.9 liters of ethanol for each resident of Russia, then by 2030 it should decrease to 7.8 liters, the Ministry of Health added.

The ministry believes that expanding the participation of regions and municipalities in the development and adoption of measures, replicating the best municipal, regional and corporate programs to reduce alcohol consumption, as well as the best practices of employers to prevent alcohol consumption, attracting socially oriented NGOs will strengthen the effectiveness of the measures taken and increase public participation in solving the problem of alcohol consumption.

According to Rosalkogoltabacregulirovanie, in January - July 2023, retail sales of alcoholic beverages excluding beer, cider, mead increased by 4% compared to the same period in 2022, to 126.85 million^[9]

2022

Alcohol sales in Russia increased by 2% and reached 6.44 liters of ethanol per capita

Alcohol sales in Russia in 2022 increased by 2% compared to 2021 and reached 6.44 liters of ethanol per capita. This is evidenced by the data of the Ministry of Health, which were released in early July 2023.

As Izvestia writes with reference to the materials of the department, the target value of alcohol sales in the Russian Federation in 2022 was 6.2 liters per capita. From 2008 to 2021 there was a decline, during this period sales fell by 48%, to 6.3 liters.

Rosalkogolregulirovanie (RAR) noted that retail sales per capita have grown annually since at least 2019, when they amounted to 6 liters of ethanol.

These statistics confirm the growth of legal retail sales of alcoholic beverages. We are not talking about an increase in alcohol consumption, these figures perfectly illustrate the steady trend of recent years in the whitewashing of the market, - noted in the RAP.

That is, the consumer makes a choice in favor of legal products, refusing to purchase dangerous illegal alcohol, the regulator explained.

Alcohol producers interviewed by the newspaper also agree with this: alcohol sales do not indicate that people began to drink more. The figures indicate how the ratio of legal and illegal products in the structure of consumption has changed, the Union of Alcohol Producers noted.

The Ministry of Health itself does not name the reasons for the growth in alcohol sales in 2022. At the same time, the department proposes new restrictive measures to break the emerging trend - for example, to limit the implementation time at the federal level from 20:00 to 11:00 instead of the current framework from 23:00 to 8:00.

However, the Ministry of Finance opposes the proposal of the Ministry of Health: they believe that additional temporary restrictions on the sale of alcohol may spur an increase in the consumption of illegal alcohol and its surrogates. This will increase the risks of threatening the life and health of citizens, the ministry concluded.^[10]

Increase in consumption of strong alcohol by 7.5% to 6.8 liters per person

In 2022, the consumption of strong alcohol - vodka, cognac and distillery products is stronger than 25 degrees - in Russia amounted to 6.8 liters per person, which is 7.5% more than a year earlier. At the same time, wine consumption decreased by 5.5% (to 6.2 liters), and beer did not change (52.2 liters). Such data analysts FinExpertiza led on March 6, 2023.

Alcohol is in greatest demand among residents of the northern and Far Eastern regions. Leaders in retail sales of strong alcohol steel Karelia (15.5 liters per person per year), (14.9 Sakhalin Oblast liters), (Komi Republic 14.6 liters). Traditionally, residents of the Caucasian republics are indifferent to alcohol - (Chechnya 0.1 liters of strong alcohol per capita per year) and (0.5 Ingushetia liters).

Consumption of beer products in 2022 decreased in 32 regions of the Russian Federation, increased - in 53. Most beer was purchased at retail by residents of the Jewish Autonomous Region (93.2 liters per person per year, that is, 1.8 times more than the national average).

Wine consumption in 2022, on the contrary, increased only in eight regions. Most of the wine products in terms of per capita were sold in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (11.7 liters per person), Karelia (11 liters) and the Moscow region (10.2 liters).

According to the researchers, sales of vodka and cognac in 2022 increased due to the smallest rise in price relative to wine and beer. In addition, as noted by the member of the board of directors of FinExpertiza Aghvan Mikaelyan, the use of alcoholic beverages is traditionally perceived by many people as the easiest and most affordable way to reduce anxiety and stress levels. According to the company, by mid-2022, Russian spending on alcohol, tobacco products and sweets increased by 20%.^[11]

Alcohol consumption in Russia since 2008 decreased by 43%

Since 2008, alcohol consumption in Russia has decreased by 43%. The Minister of Health RFMikhail Murashko told reporters about this on September 11, 2022.

According to him, by the end of 2021, the alcohol consumption rate among Russians was 9 liters per capita per year, while in 2008 - 15.7 liters. The incidence and mortality rates associated with alcohol consumption have also decreased, the head of the Ministry of Health noted.

Earlier, the chief freelance narcologist of the Ministry of Health said that a third of Russians are "quiet alcoholics."

Шаблон:Quote 'One glass (50 ml of strong alcohol) for a month every day is already alcohol abuse. After a month of such use, the liver marker shows that a person is abusing. And there are about 30% of such people in the population, "he noted. In 2021, the deputy head of the Ministry of Health Oleg Salagai also said that since 2008, alcohol consumption per capita in terms of alcohol in the Russian Federation has been decreasing annually - from 15.7 to 9.1 liters. This indicator is calculated by a complex formula, which takes into account legal and illegal sales of alcohol, poisoning from it and mortality. According to the Ministry of Health, in 2008-2021, mortality from alcohol poisoning decreased from 16.9 to 7 cases per 100 thousand people.^[12]

Structure of alcohol sales in Russia

2021

Retail sales of alcohol decreased by 0.7%

According to the estimates of the National Union for the Protection of Consumer Rights, in general, the volume of retail sales of alcoholic beverages (without beer and drinks made on the basis of beer, as well as cider, poire and mead) in the Russian Federation in 2021 decreased by 0.7%, to 212.8 million decaliters.^[13]

The most drinking regions of Russia: Chukotka, Komi Republic and Sakhalin Region

The most drinking regions at the end of 2021 were the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, the Komi Republic and the Sakhalin Region. This is stated in the report on the demographic situation of the federal project "Sober Russia," which was released at the end of December 2021.

According to RIA Novosti with reference to this study, the least alcohol is consumed in Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan. The fourth place among the most non-drinking regions is occupied by the Kabardino-Balkar Republic, and closes the top five Karachay-Cherkessia.

State Duma deputy Sultan Khamzaev, who is the leader of the Sober Russia project, said that this rating is a scientifically based, independent report of specialists: psychologists, journalists, sociologists, lawyers, economists, historians. It was based on data on the number of deaths from alcohol poisoning, the number of patients registered in medical and preventive institutions diagnosed with alcoholism and alcoholic psychosis, crimes committed by drunk Russians, as well as the regional volume of alcohol sold in the region in liters of pure alcohol.

The sales volume for the following types of alcoholic beverages was taken into account: vodka, alcoholic beverages with an ethyl alcohol content of more than and up to 25%, cognac and cognac drinks, natural and sparkling wine, wine drinks, beer.

As the authors of the report noted, all data for each region were taken from open sources of Rosstat and statistics of relevant departments.

According to Rossiyskaya Gazeta, earlier studies of Sober Russia were criticized by the expert community, which believes that it is necessary to count the amount of alcohol drunk per capita.

It was this indicator that was and remains the most objective not only in Russia, but also in the world when compiling a rating of the most drinkers and non-drinkers. The exception is only small regions of the Caucasus, where Islamic traditions are strong - Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia. But even there people drink, and in Dagestan they also develop the culture of home winemaking, - Director of the Center for Research on Federal and Regional Alcohol Markets Vadim Drobiz.[14]

2020

Alcohol consumption in Russia since 2010 has decreased by 32%, to 10.8 liters of ethanol

In 2020, compared to 2010, alcohol consumption in Russia among people over 15 years of age decreased by 32% - from 15.8 liters to 10.8 liters of ethanol. Such data at the end of April 2021 were cited by the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Mikhail Murashko on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the first global conference on non-communicable diseases.

According to Murashko, the impact of alcohol consumption on mortality among men is up to 75%. Among women with primary cardiac muscle involvement, the effect of alcohol can be up to 70 %-odd.

According to the report of the Sober Russia project, by the end of 2020, more than 85% of able-bodied Russians drink alcohol, which is over 76 million people. The authors of the study claim that 70% of deaths in the working-age population are associated with alcohol abuse. According to Sober Russia, beer (8.5 billion liters per year) and vodka (1 billion liters per year) became the most popular alcoholic beverages among Russians.

Experts also recorded an increase in systematic alcohol consumption among young people. Thus, among the young population of Russia, the share of those who regularly consume alcoholic beverages amounted to 69%. This is 16% higher than in 2018, stressed in "Sober Russia."

According to Rosalkogolregulirovanie, in 2020, despite the isolation regime and other restrictions due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, alcohol sales in Russia remained almost at the same level - 219.2 million decaliters. At the same time, sales of beer and fermentation drinks in general increased by 4.3% and reached 759.5 million decaliters.

It is also reported that with the help of EGAIS in 2020, more than 4.1 billion bottles of alcohol were processed and more than 13.4 million attempts to sell alcohol with violation were blocked. The amount of excise taxes on ethyl alcohol, alcoholic and alcohol-containing products during the year increased by 8.4 billion rubles and amounted to 381.7 billion rubles.^[15]

Alcohol sales growth in Russia by 6.1% - NielsenIQ

Alcohol sales in Russia at the end of 2020 rose by 6.1% compared to 2019, when the growth rate was lower and measured + 4.2%. This is evidenced by data from NielsenIQ analysts. Rosalkogolregulirovanie (RAR), which takes into account the sale of alcohol both in stores and in public catering, agrees with these figures.

According to Vedomosti, citing a NielsenIQ study, beer sales in 2020 increased by 4.4% to 674.7 million decaliters, beer drinks - by 2.8% to 77.4 million decaliters, although a year earlier they were declining.

In 2020, demand for low-alcohol drinks such as cider and mead increased by 10.7%, with sales falling a year ago. Gin sales, according to NielsenIQ, increased by 57%, rum - by 21.6%, fruit wines - by 17%. At the same time, sales of wine drinks containing up to 50% of wine, as well as sugar, flavors and other additives, decreased by a third.

Vodka sales in 2020 increased slightly - by 0.4%, to 73.7 million decaliters. However, consumption growth may be higher due to the growth of the illegal market, which does not fall into official statistics, the newspaper writes.

According to experts interviewed by Vedomosti, Russians spent more time at home in 2020, which stimulated consumption at home. They noted that the lack of other entertainment due to quarantine and the very situation with the coronavirus COVID-19 spurred "treatment" with alcohol from poor mood.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade noted that the tourist boom in the southern regions, which occurred due to the closure of traditional holiday destinations, spurred the demand for retail wine. For example, in Crimea, the increase reached 44-45% during peak periods. In addition to increasing sales of alcohol in retail stores, the Ministry of Industry and Trade recorded the interest of Russians in buying alcohol on the Internet.^[16]

2019

Beer consumption in liters per year per person

How much alcohol Russians drink with different social status

Data collected by the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the Higher School of Economics indicate that highly qualified specialists and managers in Russia are less likely to completely refuse alcoholic beverages than workers and holders of low classification. The corresponding study was published at the end of June 2023.

Experts studied the data of surveys of 50 thousand working women and men aged 16 to 55 and 60 years, respectively, which were conducted from 2013 to 2019. According to the results of the study, highly qualified specialists also abuse alcohol less often than low-skilled ones. The authors of the scientific work suggest that high social status and qualifications, on the one hand, suggest a better understanding of the dangers of alcohol abuse, and on the other, participation in status events, where a glass of high-quality alcoholic beverage can be an important formality.

The share of those who consumed alcohol at least once a month did not change very much for seven years: from 57% in 2013 to 51% in 2019. Women who drink are expected to be less than men - an average of 10 percentage points. At the same time, both men and women had a higher share of alcohol among qualified specialists and managers than among workers. Highly qualified people drink vodka and beer noticeably less often, and wine and spirits more often than unskilled workers.

Highly skilled and educated workers drink more expensive and high-quality alcohol, maybe several times a week, but moderately. As for people with low professional and social status, there is a different style of consumption. This is cheap alcohol, perhaps once or twice a week, but in a larger volume. In this regard, we can expect more significant consequences of alcohol abuse both for themselves and for society as a whole, - summarized one of the authors of the work, associate professor of the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the Higher School of Economics Natalya Khorkina.[17]

2014: Beer bypasses strong alcohol in popularity in Russia

2012: Strong alcohol in Russia is more popular than other drinks

Map of the popularity of alcoholic beverages in countries around the world, (circa 2012)

Click to enlarge

1991

1988

1983

1973

Notes