Alcoholic beverages market in Europe - statistics & facts
The alcoholic beverages market in Europe is one of the largest in the world. The industry is valued at over 200 billion euros, which accounts for roughly 14 percent of the global market. Europe is home to some of the longest traditions in alcohol with the beverages deeply entwined with cultures across the continent.
The most popular alcoholic drink in Europe is beer, with a market share of roughly 40 percent of all alcohol revenue. Wine and spirits have market shares of 37 and 21 percent respectively. In 2024, the sales volume of alcoholic beer in Europe was over 40 billion liters. The number of microbreweries in Europe had been trending up for years, but the pandemic and rising costs have taken their toll. Whereas there were roughly 2,400 small breweries in 2009, this number had increased to over 9,000 in 2021. Since that peak year a steep drop-off has occurred with the most recent count at 6,155. Microbreweries account for just over half of all of Europe's breweries.
Although Europe has a deep and robust connection to alcohol, the industry continues to face problems. With the pandemic and the costs associated with the war in Ukraine largely behind it, it now faces the threat of tariffs.
Leading countries and segments
The largest market in Europe for alcoholic beverages was the United Kingdom. In 2024, the revenue of alcoholic drinks in the UK amounted to approximately 70 billion U.S. dollars, 13 billion more than Germany, the second-largest market with a revenue of 57 billion dollars. France was the third largest market in Europe, with revenue of 52 billion euros.The most popular alcoholic drink in Europe is beer, with a market share of roughly 40 percent of all alcohol revenue. Wine and spirits have market shares of 37 and 21 percent respectively. In 2024, the sales volume of alcoholic beer in Europe was over 40 billion liters. The number of microbreweries in Europe had been trending up for years, but the pandemic and rising costs have taken their toll. Whereas there were roughly 2,400 small breweries in 2009, this number had increased to over 9,000 in 2021. Since that peak year a steep drop-off has occurred with the most recent count at 6,155. Microbreweries account for just over half of all of Europe's breweries.
Europeans are among the world's top alcohol consumers
Many of the world's most enthusiastic alcohol consumers can be found in Europe. Europeans occupy the top ten spots in beer consumption worldwide, with residents of Czechia drinking the most at 152.1 liters per capita. This was fifty percent more that of the next nation, Austria. European countries also occupied six of the top ten spots in per capita spirits consumptions. Estonians were the highest in Europe and number two in the world at 17.06 liters. When it comes to wine, European countries held the top sixteen places in world ranking. Portugal was highest, at nearly 55 liters consumed per person.Although Europe has a deep and robust connection to alcohol, the industry continues to face problems. With the pandemic and the costs associated with the war in Ukraine largely behind it, it now faces the threat of tariffs.
