The Legal Drinking Age in Each Country [MAP] (2024)

FAQs

What country has the lowest legal drinking age? ›

1. Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso is the country with the youngest drinking age at 13 years. Burkina Faso, a country in West Africa, a population 20.9 million (2020), has an area that expands to roughly 170,255 miles.

In fact, 64 percent of the world's nations have legal drinking ages of 18. The youngest legal drinking age in the world is 15, with both Mali and the Central African Republic allowing folks to drink at that time.

Interesting fact: The legal drinking age for beer and wine used to be 16 in Portugal but they increased it in 2015, now the drinking age is always 18 no matter what kind of alcoholic drink.

In Japan, the legal adult age is 20. Japanese law prohibits individuals under the age of 20 to drink alcohol or smoke. Regardless of age, you must not force anyone to drink or smoke as it may cause serious health and social consequences.

The legal drinking age in Russia is 18 years of age. The sale of strong alcohol is prohibited after 10pm. Drinking is prohibited on public transport, streets and parks.

The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18 years old.

This is standard across Mexico and does not vary state by state. The legal drinking age in Mexico, at any given time, under any circ*mstance is 18 years of age.

Around the world, the age when it's legal to purchase or be served most alcohol products varies from 13 in Burkina Faso to 25 in Eritrea. Here's a brief look at how not only the legal drinking age but the culture and parenting around alcohol consumption varies across countries.

The legal minimum drinking age in Cuba is 16, and the Cuban authorities will enforce Cuban laws, not Canadian ones- especially since the Canadian drinking age varies between provinces.

Is Greece strict on the drinking age? The official legal drinking age in Greece is 18 in public and you also have to be 18 to buy alcohol. In reality, these laws are not strictly enforced and in many tourist zones, they're not enforced at all.

Do you know what else is legal in most European countries? Drinking alcohol under age 21. The minimum legal drinking age in the vast majority of European countries is 18. Others range from 16 to 20, depending on where it's served, its alcohol content, and if it's within the presence of an adult.

What is the drinking age in Puerto Rico? ›

What is the drinking age in Puerto Rico? The drinking age in Puerto Rico is 18, but to enter some bars and clubs you must be 21 or up.

The legal drinking age in China is 18 years old.

The legal drinking age policy implemented in South Korea (Korea) is distinct from that in other countries, as it is based on a calendar year approach. Specifically, individuals are allowed to access alcohol from January 1 of the year in which they turn 19.

Many nightclubs in Brazil may open as late as midnight while more than a few bars remain open as long as there is a single customer. The legal drinking age in Brazil is 18.

Legal drinking age – you must be 18 or older to buy alcohol or to drink alcohol in a licensed venue. Selling alcohol – it's illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under 18 or to someone who is already drunk. Labelling – all packaged alcohol must show how many standard drinks it contains.

At least eight countries and regions have set their MLDA at 16 years. These countries include Barbados, the British Virginia Islands, Cuba, Luxembourg, Panama, Serbia, Serbia, and Zimbabwe. In these countries, it is an offense for anyone to sell, give, or offer alcoholic drinks to people under the age of 16 years.

Here, for your edification, are the basic drinking rules in the islands: The legal drinking age in Hawaii is 21. Bars are allowed to stay open daily until 2 a.m.; places with cabaret licenses are able to keep serving booze until 4 a.m.

5.2.

The minimum age for the consumption or purchase of alcohol in Antarctica at any USAP station or operating location is 21 years.

Legal drinking age in Germany

Germans can buy and drink soft alcoholic beverages and wine at the age of 16 without an adult's supervision. Germans are legally allowed to buy and drink beer, wine, and other distilled spirits at the age of 18 (Germany's legal drinking age) without an adult's supervision.