Out of stress or happiness, Albanians spend more on alcohol than Greeks and Italians

Considered luxury expenses, in 2016 Albanians easily lowered the costs for alcoholic beverages. During 2016, alcohol expenses were estimated at around 1.19% of the total cost of economic units in households. According to the 2016 Family Budget Survey, the group of goods for alcohol and tobacco expenditures was 3.4%, while 62.6% made up tobacco spending, the rest for alcohol. While a year ago, the costs for alcoholic beverages were estimated at 1.2.8%, down by 0.1 percent.

From the data Eurostat has published on the expenses of European households for alcoholic beverages, Albania spends more compared to neighbouring European countries like Italy and Greece. The costs for alcoholic beverages amounted to only 0.9% of total spending in Italy, and so did Greece and Spain, countries that have been significantly affected by the financial crisis.
According to Eurostat data, however, Albanians spend less than Serbs, where alcohol expenses were estimated to be about 2% of total expenditures.

European families spent approximately 130 billion euros on alcoholic beverages in 2016, the costs for alcoholic beverages totaled 1.6% of total expenditures. This is estimated at approximately 130 billion euros, equivalent to 0.9% of the European Union's domestic production of Bruto, or about 250 euros/bank EU. No alcohol paid in restaurants and hotels is estimated here.
Annual household expenses for alcoholic beverages are roughly equivalent to their spending on medical products, equipment, and slightly higher than those spent on social protection or education in 2016.
Lands with the highest weight of alcohol consumption

In 2016, in all EU member states, household expenses in the three Baltic countries were the highest: Estonia (5.6%), Latvia (4.8%) and Lithuania (4.2%). They were followed by the Czech Republic and Poland (both 3.6%), Hungary and Finland (both 2.9%).
The lowest percentage of household expenses for alcoholic beverages was registered in Spain (0.8%) and Italy (0.9%), ahead of Austria (1.3%), Portugal (1.4%) and Germany (1.5%). Part of alcohol spending increased mostly in Cyprus and Czech Republic

Between 2006 and 2016, total alcohol spending increased in all European Union member states.
The highest growth in Cyprus, where from 1.6% in 2006, families spent 2% in 2016, with a 0.4% increase. There was also a 0.4 - percent increase in the Czech Republic, from 3.2 to 3.6%.