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What's the youngest drinking age?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 14, 2026

The youngest legal drinking age in the world is 15, with both Mali and the Central African Republic allowing folks to drink at that time. Seven countries do not have a government-mandated drinking age, while 11 countries ban the consumption of booze entirely.

Can 12 year olds drink?

There is no acceptable amount of alcohol that is considered safe for children. Children metabolize alcohol faster than adults. This means that even a small amount of alcohol can lead to higher blood-alcohol concentrations. This can lead to low blood sugar, coma, and problems regulating body temperature.

Can 13 year olds drink?

Absolutely you should be worried. First of all it is illegal for a thirteen year old to consume alcohol. Second of all it is dangerous for a teenager to be drinking. Consuming alcohol at a young age can lead to smoking cigarettes and experimenting with drugs.

Where can you legally drink at 16?

But some countries (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain) still set the minimum age at 16.

What country has a drinking age of 13?

Around the world, the age when it's legal to purchase or be served most alcohol products varies from 13 in Burkina Faso to 25 in Eritrea.

25 related questions found

What country can you drink at 15?

Mali — Age to purchase is 15 for beer and wine, no minimum for spirits. Mauritius — Age to purchase is 18. Moldova — Age to purchase is 18. Monaco — Age to purchase is 18.

What was the drinking age in 1950?

What was the drinking age in 1950? In 1950, states were allowed to set their own drinking ages. The majority of states had the minimum set at age twenty-one, but some states had the age set at eighteen.

Can you drink at 18 in Hawaii?

Hawaii has minor in possession (MIP) laws to prevent underage drinking. You must be at least 21 years to consume or possess alcohol in Hawaii. However, people who are age 18 are allowed to serve alcoholic beverages in a licensed establishment.

What was the legal drinking age in 1920?

Let's take a moment or two to review what we've learned. Up until the 1920s, alcohol was lightly regulated in the United States and most states had no minimum drinking age. Those that did typically set it at 21, which was the age of majority, or the age at which someone is considered a legal adult.

Can I drink in Korea if I'm 18?

The legal drinking age in Korea for foreigners is 19 years of age for most people. Specifically, adults can legally drink alcohol from January 1st of the year they turn 20, since everyone adds one year at the start of the new year.

Can you drink at 18?

The Karanataka Excise Department, 1967, stipulate that drinking age is 21. However, the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, states 18 as the minimum age to purchase alcohol. The law is ambiguous and in practise many bars serve those above age 18 though a few bars refuse service to anyone below 21.

Should 14 year olds drink alcohol?

Children and young people are advised not to drink alcohol before the age of 18. Alcohol use during the teenage years is related to a wide range of health and social problems. However, if children do drink alcohol underage, it should not be until they are at least 15.

What happens if a 11 year old Vapes?

Talk to your kids about the reports of serious lung damage, and even deaths, in people who vape. Call your doctor right away if your child or teen vapes and has: coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain. nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Can 11 year olds drink coffee?

The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages caffeine consumption for kids.

Can kids drink Red Bull?

The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition and the Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness state that energy drinks “are not appropriate for children and adolescents and should never be consumed.” However, sales of energy drinks are expected to hit $9 billion in 2011.

What is Japan's drinking age?

In Japan, the legal adult age is 20. Japanese law prohibits individuals under the age of 20 to drink alcohol or smoke. Regardless of age, you must not force anyone to drink or smoke as it may cause serious health and social consequences.

What age can you drink in Mexico?

The legal drinking age is 18. 5. Open alcohol containers in public are illegal in Mexico. You may face a fine or time in jail.

What is the drinking age in Canada?

A Brief History of MLDA Changes in Canada

increased their legal drinking age from 18 to 19 years; since this time there have been no further changes to the MLDA in Canada. Currently, the MLDA is 18 years of age in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and 19 years in the rest of the Canadian provinces and territories.

What was the legal drinking age in 1940?

Home > Beers > What Age Could You Buy A Beer In 1940? Again, the states have been allowed to craft their own alcohol laws, and the vast majority have imposed an 18-year-old drinking age on their residents. It made sense since 21 was the legal age of majority at the time.

Why is it 21 to drink?

The drinking age was raised back to 21 over federal highway funding. In 1984, the National Minimum Drinking Age Act passed, which stated federal highway funds would be withheld from U.S. states that failed to set the minimum legal drinking age back at 21. By 1988, all the states had adopted the age minimum.

What was the drinking age in the 70s?

Why did Congress pass the national drinking age act? After Prohibition, nearly all states adopted a minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) of 21. Between 1970 and 1975, however, 29 states lowered the MLDA to 18, 19, or 20, largely in response to the change in the voting age.

Can you drink at 18 in Mexico?

The minimum legal drinking age in Mexico is 18 years old. Mexico requires that young adults show photo identification, either a passport or driver's license, as proof of age when buying alcohol.

Will a shot get you drunk?

Can You Get Drunk From One Shot? You'll get drunk from any drink that contains alcohol over a long period of time, whether it is beer, tequila, or vodka. Vodka has an ABV of 35% to 95%, depending on its recipe and ingredients. People can become intoxicated even with just a single shot of vodka.

What is China's drinking age?

Since China's underage drinking regulation was passed in 2006, the legal drinking age in the country has been 18. However, on any given Friday or Saturday evening in Beijing, kids from as young as 14 flock to nightclubs and bars in the city's Sanlitun and Gulou neighbourhoods.