What the study found
The study found that sub-Saharan Africa was not on track to meet the World Health Organization target of a 10% relative reduction in harmful alcohol use by 2025. Regional averages showed slight increases in alcohol per capita consumption and heavy episodic drinking between 2010 and 2019.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that harmful drinking remains widespread and unevenly distributed, and they suggest that stronger, context-specific alcohol policy and targeted interventions are needed, especially where consumption is rising or heavy episodic drinking remains high.
What the researchers tested
The researchers assessed progress across 45 sub-Saharan African countries from 2010 to 2019 using World Health Organization data. They examined alcohol per capita consumption, which means average alcohol use per person, and heavy episodic drinking, which means drinking large amounts on a single occasion, for both the total population and past-year drinkers.
What worked and what didn't
Across the region, total alcohol per capita consumption rose by 6.6% and heavy episodic drinking per capita rose by 4.0%. Among drinkers, alcohol per capita consumption increased by 4.9%, while heavy episodic drinking prevalence stayed around 51%.
What to keep in mind
Central Africa was the only subregion with meaningful declines in both alcohol per capita consumption and heavy episodic drinking per capita, but it still had the highest heavy episodic drinking per capita, around 30%. One-third of countries met or exceeded the target in alcohol per-drinker consumption, while 44% saw increases; the abstract does not describe other limitations.
Key points
- Sub-Saharan Africa was not on track to meet the World Health Organization alcohol reduction target.
- Region-wide alcohol per capita consumption increased by 6.6% from 2010 to 2019.
- Heavy episodic drinking prevalence among drinkers stayed near 51%.
- Central Africa was the only subregion with meaningful declines in both alcohol measures.
- One-third of countries met or exceeded the target in alcohol per-drinker consumption, while 44% increased.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Alcohol use rose slightly in sub-Saharan Africa, 2010–2019
- Authors:
- Robyn Burton, Nadine Harker, Benjamin Kaneka, Frank Kyei-Arthur, Gemma Mitchell, Ogochukwu W. Odeigah, Charles Parry, Marieke Theron, Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye
- Institutions:
- Makerere University, South African Medical Research Council, South African Medical Research Council, South African Medical Research Council, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, University of Malawi, University of Stirling, University of Stirling
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-30
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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