Is there a country with no drinking age?
Asked by: Montana Halvorson | Last update: May 5, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (25 votes)
Several countries, particularly in Africa like Angola, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Comoros, and Djibouti, have no national minimum legal drinking age, meaning anyone can technically buy alcohol, though local customs and purchase restrictions might still exist. Other nations, such as Armenia, also lack a specific minimum age for consumption, while Burkina Faso is often cited as having the youngest effective drinking age (around 13) due to a lack of national restrictions on sales.
What country has no drinking age?
However, Angola (except Luanda Province), Central African Republic, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Mali have no laws on the books restricting the sale of alcohol to minors. In Libya, Somalia and Sudan the sale, production and consumption of alcohol is completely prohibited.
Where is 13 the legal drinking age?
A drinking age of 13, or the ability for 13-year-olds to legally buy alcohol, is found in Burkina Faso, an African country with no national minimum age for off-premise sales, making it easily accessible, though this lenient policy has public health impacts. Other countries, like the Central African Republic (15) and some in Europe (16 for beer/wine), have low ages, but 13 is specifically linked to Burkina Faso.
What is Russia's drinking age?
In Russia, the legal drinking age for purchasing and consuming alcohol is 18, aligning with many European countries, though there are frequent legislative discussions to raise it to 21, especially for stronger spirits, due to public health concerns, but the current federal law remains 18. While 18 is the official minimum, societal norms often see teens experimenting earlier, and some bars enforce a stricter over-21 policy, especially for stronger drinks like vodka and cognac, with sales prohibited during certain hours or near schools.
Can you drink at 15 in France?
The legal drinking age in France is currently 18-years-old, at which age residents and tourists alike can purchase alcohol or drink it in bars or restaurants.
Top 10 Countries With No Legal Drinking Age
Is 14 the drinking age in Germany?
In Germany, the minimum age for consuming and purchasing beer and wine is 16 years old. However, for spirits and drinks containing spirits, the minimum age is 18 years old.
What is the legal drinking age in Japan?
The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old, the same as the legal smoking and gambling age, with strict penalties for minors and those who sell or provide alcohol to them. It's illegal for anyone under 20 to consume alcohol, and you may be asked for ID when buying it or entering bars.
What's the drinking age in Ukraine?
The minimum legal drinking age is 18.
What is the legal drinking age in Mexico?
In Mexico, the legal drinking age is 18, compared with 21 in the United States, and alcohol is comparatively inexpensive.
What is the legal drinking age in Iceland?
The legal drinking age in Iceland is 20. Grocery stores only have low-alcohol beer; all other alcohol is sold in state-controlled stores called Vínbúð, with limited opening hours.
Who has the youngest drinking age?
The lowest legal drinking ages globally are quite young, with some places allowing purchase at 14 (with parental supervision for beer/wine in Germany), while 16 is common for beer/wine in Europe, and 18 is the most frequent age worldwide; however, some countries have near-zero age restrictions in certain contexts, like England and Wales for home consumption.
What is the drinking age in Switzerland?
Alcohol is sold in supermarkets. The age limit for the purchase of wine and beer is 16 years, and 18 years for high-proof alcohol. There is no nationwide minimum age for the purchase of tobacco in Switzerland.
What is the drinking age in Puerto Rico?
There is some similarity between DUI-related laws in Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland, but there are also differences. For example, the legal drinking age in Puerto Rico is 18, and for those 18–20 years of age, BAC levels must be lower than . 02.
Is there a drinking age in Belgium?
Belgium, Denmark and Germany set 16 years as the minimum age for purchasing beverages containing less than 1.2 % of distilled alcohol and 18 years for buying spirits (more than 1.2 % of distilled alcohol).
What is the legal drinking age in Thailand?
In Thailand, the legal drinking age is 20. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2008 increased the drinking age in Thailand from 18 to 20, private drinking is not regulated in private locations.
What age can you drink on a cruise?
What is the minimum age for purchase and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages? Passengers must be 21 years of age or older to purchase or consume alcohol while in US sailings. Parental consent is required for guests 18 to 20 to consume only beer and wine while vessels is in international waters.
Where is the drinking age 15?
A legal drinking age of 15 is found in countries like Mali and the Central African Republic, though the latter may have different rules for on-premises consumption; other nations, such as Germany, have lower age limits for beer/wine with parental supervision, while the U.S. standard is 21.
What is Japan's drinking age?
The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old, the same as the legal smoking and gambling age, with strict penalties for minors and those who sell or provide alcohol to them. It's illegal for anyone under 20 to consume alcohol, and you may be asked for ID when buying it or entering bars.
What country has a 12 year old age of consent?
While ages of consent vary, Cuba is a notable country with an age of consent set at 12, though other places like some Mexican states have similar low ages for specific circumstances, and some countries (like the Philippines) have very low ages that face pressure for reform. Many other countries set their age of consent between 14 and 16, with some, like Japan, having lower ages (13) but additional prefectural laws effectively raising it.
What is the drinking age in Costa Rica?
People can drink in Costa Rica as long as they are 18 years old. You are not permitted to drink in any public space nor exceed a blood alcohol concentration of more than 0.05% mg while driving.
What is the safest drinking age?
It's important that, if they ultimately choose to drink, they don't start until age 21—Not only is that age the law, research shows people who start drinking after age 21 have a lower chance of developing AUD compared with people who start younger. Even for adults, any amount of drinking could be harmful.
Why was Japan's age of consent 13?
Japan's age of consent was 13 because the law, established in 1907, reflected the historical context of shorter lifespans and earlier marriages, influenced by the Napoleonic Code, with societal norms considering young marriages acceptable, though it remained unchanged for over a century despite evolving societal views and later reforms. Public outcry and repeated acquittals in sexual abuse cases eventually led to significant revisions, raising the age to 16 in 2023.
Does the military have a different drinking age?
Service Members must be at least 21 years of age to buy or drink alcohol in the U.S. There might be exceptions in certain situations, especially if you're serving abroad. If you're not sure about the age limit in your specific location, check first with your Base Command.