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Hungary: home of a million alcoholics?
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There is some uncertainty about exactly how many alcoholics there are in Hungary. The figure of 380,000 provided by the Hungarian Central Statistics Office is severely underestimated. Domestic experts report more than double or even triple of this figure. A few years ago, WHO has estimated the number of alcoholics in Hungary to be over 900,000. More than one-third of adult men in Hungary consume alcohol in a harmful way – Index.hu reports.
It is a serious nationwide problem. Still, drinking is common, and it seems to be an Eastern European ‘virtue’ to get drunk. It seems that our culture is more forgiving to people drinking 3-4 glasses of their own wine every day. This can contribute to the fact that 90% of addicts never recognise their alcohol problem.
According to the WHO, men on average drink about three times as much as women. Although recent qualitative research shows that Hungarian women drink more and more, especially the youngest and over the 60s, are at risk.
But a little alcohol cannot hurt, right?
There is no convincing evidence. Substantially more thorough research would be needed to determine whether alcohol has any positive effects in small quantities. The European Society of Cardiologists and the American Heart Association have found no evidence that alcohol can be healthy. Although if someone is healthy and eats appropriately, small amounts of alcohol do not harm.
Where does the data come from?
Some surveys quantify data that people admit they consume, but it is mostly not that reliable. For us, the most reliable way to get a glimpse of how much Hungarians drink, we can see, for example, how much Hungarians buy in stores. It is far from a complete measuring, but it will undoubtedly mean data of realised purchases. To do this, Nielsen Market Research provided Index.hu with regional data from June 2017 to June 2019.
How much and what do Hungarians drink?
By far, most of the alcohol purchased in stores is consumed in the form of beer. Second place goes to vodka and bitters, followed by pálinka. By June 2019, we bought 1.5% more pure alcohol than the previous 12 months. In value, however, we spent almost 9% more on alcoholic beverages, which is significant.
Alcohol sold by region
Per capita sales in pure alcohol: average 2.47 litres.
People in Southwest Hungary seem to purchase the most alcohol per capita. This means Zala, Somogy, Tolna and Baranya counties. Many would have guessed that the middle region, Budapest and Pest counties would be the winners, but the tables have turned.
Beer and cider
Average 35.2 litres of beer sold per capita.
Average 0.46 litres of cider sold per capita.
We have been drinking more than 5 Million litres more beer this summer than in the previous year. More than half of the beer purchased are sold in major discount stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets and overall sales have also increased here.
National beer consumption increased by an average of 1.7 litres which means an increase of 1.5% compared to the previous year. In addition to traditional beers, sales of flavoured, wheat and corn beers have also increased. Non-alcoholic beer sales have also risen, but they account for only about 7% of all beer sold.
If you are a beer enthusiast, read this guide on the best Hungarian beers on tap.
I just completed reading of your article about the drinking of alcohol in Hungary and in couple of the neighbouring countries. I was surprised on the nativity that you think the alcohol consumption is less in Hungary that in the two neighbouring countries and also, that the palika consumption is mu h less. You may have have to look into the amount of palinka that people allowed to brew at home a year and how much they actually do brew per year! Some people make approximately 2x as much (2×50 liter=100 liter/year/many-many households)! Then reassess your statistic please!
Back in the communist time in Budapest (specifically in the Pest side) there were one kocsma (alcohol selling place)/ most of the city blocks! Today they called something else, but serving the same interest!
Is it not good idea for Government to increase price of palinka, beer, wine. Because alcoholics take up hospital beds
Magyarorsag 6 Anglia 3
Alcoholism is a continuing monumental challenge globally for the global world. The availability factor legalised and approved within 21st century society does not over-all assist with the major health issues associated with alcoholic abuse. The wide raging ramifications across the board that occur through alcohol abuse are universally acknowledged and in fact the rehabilitation process of alcoholic abuse and need it is thought is of greater difficulty than that associated with hard core drug abuse and usage. There is a place in the 21st century for balance and proper consumption and enjoyment of alcohol but urgently a need or process is required to control and monitor its sales outlets and in environments that are predominantly patronised by the youth and younger generation. Health care is a costly expenditure for Governments and all the associated on-going after effects. Society not just solely Governments must jointly work in co-operative focused unity to eradicate the abusive wrongs that are occurring in society caused by alcholic consumption and abuse.