The health and economic damage caused by alcohol consumption in Estonia in 2023 is estimated to be €510 million, according to a study published in the European Journal of Public Health.
According to a study, the economic damage related to alcohol amounted to 1.34% of Estonia's gross domestic product (GDP). Direct costs totaled €263.9 million, while indirect costs were €246.1 million.
The authors estimate that alcohol consumption was responsible for the deaths of 1,932 adults, accounting for 12.3% of all deaths among the adult population. Among individuals aged under 64.5 years, alcohol is associated with 781 fatalities, which constitutes nearly 27% of all deaths recorded in this age group.
According to the study's authors, restricting the availability of alcohol and increasing excise taxes could reduce the health damage caused by alcohol and provide economic benefits to society.
The analysis suggests that a 15% increase in excise tax would not only reduce healthcare costs and decrease productivity losses but would also generate an additional €32 million in tax revenue.
