Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Alcohol abuse in Canada - statistics and facts
Alcohol abuse, defined as the excessive and harmful consumption of alcoholic beverages, is a pervasive issue in Canada. Approximately 75 percent of Canadians aged 15 years and above consume alcohol. In 2022, per capita alcohol beverage consumption in Canada stood at 97.5 liters. Alcohol consumption is a leading risk factor for the worldwide disease burden, it contributes to numerous health problems, social issues, and economic burdens. In 2020, the estimated overall financial cost of substance use in Canada was 49.1 billion Canadian dollars, alcohol alone accounted for nearly 40 percent of the economic costs. Alcohol consumption is most concerning in young people because they are at a higher risk for alcohol-related harm.
