The Irish have a reputation around the world for being big drinkers – but a recent survey suggests that this might be a little unfair.
While it is true to say that the Irish love the craic, many are a little annoyed by the idea that they often drink to excess.
The survey, which was carried out by World Health Organisation reveals that Ireland have cut down on their drinking quite considerable since 2005.
The latest figures, which come from 2016, show that Irish people only drink three quarters of the amount they did 11 years earlier.
The Irish are now only the 18th biggest drinkers in the EU – out of 28 countries.
According to the WHO, Irish people drank an average of 14.41 litres of alcohol in 2005. This had fallen to just 10.9 litres in 2016 – a 24.35% drop.
Alcohol consumption in Ireland is declining twice as fast as it is in the average for other EU28 countires.
UK citizens are now bigger drinkers than the Irish, although they have also reduced their alcohol consumption – from 13.37 litres in 2005 to 12.3 litres in 2016 – an 8% drop.
Europe’s biggest drinkers are the Lithuanians who consume an average of 18.2 litres.
Written by Michael Kehoe @michaelcalling
