Alcohol consumption in developed countries has dropped 2.5 per cent in the last 20 years, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found in a report.
While the overall trend points to decreased alcohol consumption, however, the findings varied widely depending on the country, the Paris-based intergovernmental think tank said.
The report added risky drinking is on the rise, and recommended curbing excessive alcohol consumption.
Much of the decrease is due to a decline in consumption in France, Germany, Spain and Italy, where it has dropped between 20 and 40 per cent since 1992.
But many countries clocked a rise in alcohol consumption, especially Russia, Estonia, India and Norway, where the increase ranged from 40 to 60 per cent.
Average alcohol consumption among OECD member countries was estimated by the OECD to be between 9.1 and 10.3 litres of pure alcohol per capita annually, compared to a 6.2-litre global average.
Approximately one third of the alcohol consumed in OECD is beer, and 25 per cent is wine, with the rest taking the form of spirits or other alcoholic beverages.
The OECD noted that alcohol consumption has increased among youth.
Although research has indicated that moderate alcohol consumption can be beneficial, the OECD recommended curbing excessive consumption with policy interventions including tax hikes on alcohol sales.
