Scientists estimate the damage from heavy drinking in Russia at 0.7% of GDP annually

The scale of the problem: 0.7% of GDP annually

A study by Sechenov University showed that Russia's costs caused by alcohol abuse reach 0.7% of GDP in both 2017 and 2025; in monetary terms, the amount in 2025 was 1.484 trillion rubles. University professor Andrey Kulikov told Gazeta.Ru about this. Professor Andrey Kulikov of the university told Gazeta.Ru.

Direct and indirect costs

Direct costs of the healthcare system and expenses directly related to alcohol abuse amounted to almost 85 billion rubles for 2025. In 2017, a similar study gave an estimate of more than 130 billion rubles; however, as Kulikov explained, this time the researchers calculated a minimal estimate: only the diseases most strongly associated with alcohol were counted, and the number of patients was taken at the lower bound — 3.2 million people, whereas the upper bound of the number of alcohol abusers in Russia may exceed 9.5 million people.

Indirect costs are far higher than direct ones — 1.399 trillion rubles

The main burden is indirect: 1.399 trillion rubles, of which more than 95% accounts for GDP losses, mainly due to the premature death of working-age people and reduced labor productivity. Also included are the maintenance of children whose parents died or were deprived of parental rights due to alcohol addiction, spending on prisoners convicted of crimes, and medical sobering-up stations.

Fewer drinkers, but a larger per-session amount

Per capita ethanol consumption has been steadily declining: from 15.7 liters in 2008 to 8.06 liters in 2025. According to Kulikov's conclusion, fewer people drink now, but those who do drink a lot — this is characteristic of the 'northern model' of episodic heavy drinking. A 2024 Rosstat public opinion survey showed that 54.4% of the population over 15 consumed alcohol — 2.9 percentage points less than two years earlier, while 4.9% drink several times a week.

What the experts propose

In the experts' opinion, a transition from the northern model to a 'southern' one — moderate consumption of wine or beer with meals and in company, where communication is the main thing — would consolidate the success of the state strategy. This would be facilitated by education not only about the harms of alcohol but also about moderate consumption as part of the gastronomic experience, as well as new formats of leisure and celebrations. Note that this is the researchers' position, not an adopted decision: the publication does not report on any state measures. Earlier, according to the same outlet, Russians were advised to start preparing for New Year drinking binges as early as November.