The laws on drinking and consent ages worldwide can be complicated, as these laws vary between countries and even within regions of the same country. This article provides an overview of the legal drinking and consent ages across different parts of the world, drawing on a variety of examples.
Legal Drinking Ages
North America
- Canada: The legal drinking age in Canada varies by province, generally set at 18 or 19 years old. For instance, the legal drinking age in Ontario is 19, while in Quebec, it’s 18.
- United States: The legal age for drinking in the US is 21 years old across all states.
- Mexico: The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18 years old.
Europe
- Germany: The legal drinking age in Germany is 16 for beer and wine, but 18 for spirits.
- France: The legal drinking age in France is 18 years old.
- United Kingdom: The legal drinking age in the UK is 18 years old, with some exceptions for consumption in private settings from age 16.
- Spain: The legal drinking age in Spain is 18 years old.
- Ireland: The legal drinking age in Ireland is 18 years old.
- Italy: The legal drinking age in Italy is 18 years old.
- Greece: The legal drinking age in Greece is 18 years old.
Asia
Japan: The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old.
South Korea: The legal drinking age in South Korea is 19 years old.
Australia
The legal drinking age in Australia is 18 years old.
Caribbean
- Bahamas: The legal age to drink alcohol in the Bahamas is 18 years old.
- Jamaica: The legal age to drink in Jamaica is 18 years old.
- Dominican Republic: The legal drinking age is 18 years old.
