Alcohol in Germany continues to be among the cheapest in Europe, according to new data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).
The figures, released to mark the start of Dry January, show that prices for wine, beer and spirits remain well below the EU average. At the same time, Germany’s overall alcohol consumption is slowly but steadily declining, according to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO).
How does the price of alcohol in Germany compare with other EU countries?
Alcohol prices in Germany sit 14 percent below the EU average, according to Destatis. Only Italy sells alcoholic drinks more cheaply, at 19 percent below the EU average.
At the other end of the scale, alcohol is far more expensive in several northern European countries. Finland tops this list, where consumers pay 110 percent more than the EU average.
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Denmark follows with prices 23 percent higher, and Belgium at 13 percent above the EU average.
Germany’s neighbouring countries show a mixed picture on the whole. Poland sits at nine percent above the EU average, while France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg line up almost exactly with the EU benchmark.
In contrast, Austria and Czechia sell alcohol for less than the EU average (11 percent and seven percent respectively), though still at higher prices than in Germany or Italy.
Alcohol consumption in Germany is falling
Despite the comparatively low prices, alcohol consumption in Germany is gradually declining.
According to the WHO, each resident aged 15 and over consumed 11.2 litres of pure alcohol in 2022. To put that into everyday terms, it’s roughly 448 half‑litre glasses of beer per year.
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Ten years earlier, consumption was almost a full litre higher, showing a clear downward trend.
Behavioural changes are being observed in particular groups. Researchers note that men are drinking less than before, and alcohol use among young people aged 12 to 25 has also declined over the long term.
Even so, Germany still ranks ninth in Europe for alcohol consumption. Romania leads the way, with consumption at 17.1 litres of pure alcohol per person per annum, with Latvia (14.7 litres) and Czechia (13.7 litres) also reporting high rates.
At the lower end of the scale, residents of Greece (7 litres), Malta (6.2 litres) and Cyprus (5.2 litres) drink considerably less than the European average.
Soft drinks cost more in Germany than elsewhere
While alcohol is relatively cheap, non‑alcoholic drinks in Germany are priced two percent above the EU average, according to Destatis.
Latvia is the most expensive country in Europe when it comes to soft drinks, with prices 46 percent above average largely as a result of its sugar tax. Denmark (30 percent) and the Netherlands (23 percent) also show significantly higher prices.
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But soft drinks are cheaper in several countries. France and Czechia fall below the EU benchmark (by three percent and nine percent respectively).
Once again, Italy has the lowest prices, coming in at 18 percent below the average.
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