Drinking Age by Country

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The drinking age varies from country to country, though most of the world establishes it at age 18.

Some countries have different laws for drinking, depending on what kind of drink (beer, wine, or mixed drink) and whether a parent or guardian is present.

Some countries establish a drinking age lower than 18 while others, including the United States, establish a higher drinking age.

Countries that have a drinking age of 18 include Argentina, Australia, Bahamas.

Brazil. China, Czech Republic, France, Ghana, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Officially, the drinking age in the United States is 21.

However, the law only applies to the purchase of alcoholic beverages.

Each of the states has separate laws that apply to the consumption of alcohol.

For example:

Wisconsin allows people under 18 to consume alcohol if they are accompanied by an adult, such as a parent, guardian, or spouse who is 21 or over.

Louisiana also has some exceptions to the age 21 drinking age.

People below the age of 21 are allowed to drink alcohol if they are at home.

They are also allowed to drink alcohol for religious (i.e. during communion) or medicinal purposes.

People under 21 can drink at a bar or restaurant if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Finally, people under the age of 21 can drink small amounts of alcohol for educational purposes if they are attending a culinary school.

In France, the legal drinking age is 18.

However, young people aged 16 and 17 can drink alcohol in public if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Germany has a varied drinking age according to what type of alcoholic drink is involved.

A German can drink beer or wine at age 16 but has to wait until he or she turns 18 to consume a mixed drink.

A German can drink beer or wine in public as young as age 14 if he or she is accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The drinking age in Thailand is 20 and is strictly enforced.

Japan’s drinking age is 20 as well.

Canada’s drinking age depends on which province one happens to be in.

For most of the country, the drinking age is 19.

However, in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, the legal age is 18.

The drinking age in Russia is 18, though, for some stronger drinks such as vodka, it’s 21.