Issue Date: May 12, 2006

Minimum Drinking Ages Around the World (sidebar)

PRINTEMAILSAVETEXT

The U.S.'s minimum drinking age of 21 is among the highest in the world. Here are some examples of minimum drinking ages throughout the rest of the world:

Britain. Any Briton aged five and up can drink alcohol with parental consent. At the age of 16, one can order wine or beer in a restaurant or pub to accompany a meal, but only if accompanied by a parent or guardian. By 18, all Britons are allowed to purchase and consume alcohol on their own, in any setting.

Canada. Between February 1970 and July 1972--the same time during which many U.S. states began lowering their drinking ages--seven out of the 10 Canadian provinces and both of the Canadian territories reduced their minimum drinking ages to 18 or 19, from 20 or 21. Today, the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec have a drinking age of 18, while the minimum drinking age in the remaining provinces and territories is set at 19 years old.

Japan. The minimum age for both the purchase and consumption of alcohol is 20. In contrast to the U.S., underage drinking is not widely seen as a serious problem in Japan. In many parts of the country, the minimum drinking age is loosely enforced and minor violations of the age limit are generally tolerated. Outdoor vending machines sell beer and sake, available to anyone. But plans are under way to introduce identification card scanners to such vending machines, which will prevent the sale of alcohol and cigarettes to anyone under the age of 20.

China. Before 2006, there was no minimum drinking age in China--anyone could purchase or consume alcohol, in private or in public. However, as the average Chinese income increases, China's leisure industry--consisting largely of youth-oriented restaurants, karaoke bars and other such establishments, many of which serve alcohol--has grown commensurately. Such conditions have led to a rising concern that underage drinking poses a problem in China. In response, the Chinese government enacted a strict 18-and-older age limit on the purchase of alcohol as of Jan. 1, 2006. The consumption of alcohol, however, is still unrestricted.

Portugal. One must be 16 or older to purchase beer or wine and 18 or older to purchase hard liquor. People suffering from mental illness cannot purchase any type of alcohol, regardless of age. The consumption of alcohol is not prohibited by age.

Italy. Italy's minimum age for both the purchase and consumption of alcohol is 16. However, the former is very loosely enforced--indeed, it is not uncommon for children to be seen purchasing bottles of wine from a store to take home to their parents. Additionally, the 16-and-older consumption law is similarly malleable; many young teenagers are permitted to order a glass of wine or beer to accompany a meal at a restaurant. Although moderate alcohol use is an important part of Italian culture, public intoxication is strongly looked down upon, and the legal penalties for drunk driving are severe.

India. The drinking age in India varies from region to region. Some places have a minimum drinking age as low as 18; while in others it is as high as 25. A plan to lower to 21 from 25 the drinking age in Delhi, one of the largest metropolitan regions in the world, got mixed reviews when it was discussed in late 2005. As of May 2006, Delhi's drinking age was still 25.

France. The age at which one can legally purchase and consume alcohol is 16 in France. But neither limit is strictly enforced. As in Italy, moderate alcohol consumption is a large part of French culture; wine commonly accompanies both lunch and dinner, and is consumed by people of all ages in small amounts.