Republic of Korea vs United States of America: Share of adults who drank alcohol in last year
Republic of Korea
72.5%
in 2020
United States of America
71.1%
in 2020
Republic of Korea rank
29th
United States of America rank
32nd
Share of adults who drank alcohol in last year over time
- Republic of Korea
- United States of America
How they compare
Republic of Korea currently reports 72.5% against 71.1% in United States of America, a difference of 1.4%.
Across all 21 years both countries report, Republic of Korea has been ahead every year.
Republic of Korea ranks 29th and United States of America ranks 32nd of 187 countries.
Republic of Korea has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Republic of Korea | United States of America | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 74.4% | 69.8% | 4.5% | Republic of Korea |
| 2010s | 73.3% | 70.7% | 2.6% | Republic of Korea |
| 2020s | 72.5% | 71.1% | 1.3% | Republic of Korea |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher share of adults who drank alcohol in last year, Republic of Korea or United States of America?
- Republic of Korea, at 72.5% against 71.1% in United States of America as of 2020.
- What is the difference in share of adults who drank alcohol in last year between Republic of Korea and United States of America?
- 1.4%, with Republic of Korea ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Republic of Korea and United States of America?
- 21 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2020.
- How do Republic of Korea and United States of America rank globally for share of adults who drank alcohol in last year?
- Republic of Korea ranks 29th and United States of America ranks 32nd of 187 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- World Health Organization - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as Share of adults who drank alcohol in last year. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Adults are defined as those aged 15 years and older. Shown is the share of adults who have drunk any alcohol in the preceding 12 months.