Alcohol abuse fuels violence and deaths in Europe

Alcohol consumption is a major contributor to injury, violence, and premature deaths across Europe, according to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report. The continent records the highest levels of alcohol use worldwide, leading to significant premature mortality and injury. Based on 2019 data, the WHO estimates that alcohol is responsible for around 800,000 deaths each year in Europe—one in every eleven deaths. Approximately 145,000 injury deaths are attributable to alcohol, with self‑harm, road injuries and falls comprising the largest categories.

The report also links drinking to interpersonal violence, including assaults and domestic abuse, and identifies alcohol as a key factor in violent injury deaths. Young people are especially vulnerable; alcohol interferes with brain development and decision‑making during adolescence and early adulthood, impairs memory and learning, and raises the risk of long‑term harm such as alcohol use disorders and other mental health problems. Among adolescents and young adults, alcohol remains a leading risk factor for injury‑related disability and premature death.

Carina Ferreira‑Borges, Regional Adviser for Alcohol, Illicit Drugs and Prison Health at WHO/Europe, emphasizes that “alcohol is a toxic substance that not only causes seven types of cancer and other non‑communicable diseases, but also impairs judgment and self‑control, slows reaction times, reduces coordination, and promotes risk‑taking behavior.” This explains its involvement in many preventable injuries and injury deaths.

Geographically, Eastern European countries account for about half of all alcohol‑attributable injury deaths, whereas western and southern Europe together represent less than 20 %. In Russia, drinking patterns have shifted over the past two decades, with the proportion of people who abstain from alcohol nearly doubling, according to recent surveys. Beer, rather than vodka, remains the most commonly consumed alcoholic beverage.

The WHO’s findings underscore the need for continued action to mitigate alcohol‑related risks in Europe. By fully understanding the scale and public‑health impact of the problem, policymakers and healthcare professionals can develop effective strategies to reduce harm and promote healthier behaviours throughout the region.