In the latest ranking published by World Population Review, Central Asia once again appeared as a region that is “cool toward alcohol”: the lowest figure across the post-Soviet space is reportedly recorded in Turkmenistan.
According to the source, Turkmenistan averages 0.3 liters of pure alcohol per person per year. The next lowest figure is in Tajikistan at 0.7 liters. Among neighboring countries, consumption is reported at 5.4 liters in Kazakhstan, 3.9 liters in Kyrgyzstan, and 2.1 liters of pure alcohol in Uzbekistan.
Europe, however, is in a completely different “league” in this ranking. Eastern and Central Europe are cited as high-consumption regions: Romania (17.1 liters), Georgia (15.5 liters), and Latvia (14.7 liters) rank high on the list. Among CIS countries, Moldova (14.1 liters), Belarus (11.4 liters), and Russia (10.5 liters) are noted among the leaders.
Importantly, these calculations are not “beer separately, wine separately”: in international statistics, consumption is aggregated in liters of pure alcohol equivalent—meaning all types of drinks are converted into total alcohol content. That’s why, for example, it is noted that a 1.75-liter bottle of vodka may contain about 300 ml of pure alcohol.
The ranking’s authors explain Central Asia’s relatively low figures by religious and moral traditions, cultural environment, and consumption habits. In short: in this region, “sobriety” is not a trend—it has become an everyday way of life.
The conclusion is simple: Turkmenistan is cited as the soberest country in the CIS, while Central Asia overall remains in the low-consumption group. Europe’s figures are much higher—and the gap is striking.
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