Drunken District: Kirov Region ranked in the top 5 most drinking regions of Russia

      The project "To be precise," which analyzes open statistics from government structures, studied the situation regarding alcohol consumption in different regions of the country. The authors of the study relied on data from the Ministry of Health on the level of alcohol consumption and mortality from alcohol poisoning, as well as information from the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the number of traffic accidents and crimes involving intoxicated citizens. All statistics are from 2019 to 2024, as more recent data is not yet publicly available.

      National Overview

      In 2024, the Nenets Autonomous Okrug topped the list of regions with the highest alcohol consumption, where over five years, consumption grew from 16 to 35 liters of pure alcohol per adult per year. Chukotka came in second (growth from 14 to 29 liters). The Jewish Autonomous Oblast rounded out the top three (from 19 to 25 liters). The population in these regions prefers strong drinks, which account for 75-85% of the alcohol consumed.

      The lowest alcohol consumption in the country is found in Ingushetia, Chechnya, North Ossetia, and Dagestan—up to 2 liters of pure alcohol per person per year. Researchers attribute this to the predominance of Islam and the Caucasian tradition of "ritualized consumption," characterized by an abundance of food, toasts, and table conversations. In Chechnya, strict anti-alcohol legislation plays an additional role: residents have almost no opportunity to purchase alcohol within the republic, reports Kommersant. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, the figures are minimal after the Caucasian republics—cities rank 76th and 77th out of 82.

      Position of Kirov Region: Above Average and Among Leaders in the Volga Federal District

      In the "To be precise" study, the Kirov region is classified as having an "above average" level of alcohol consumption and "high severity of the problem." According to the project, alcohol consumption in the region increased from 14.0 liters of pure alcohol per adult per year in 2017 to 17.8 liters in 2024—a growth of almost 27%.

      Data for 2023 shows that the Kirov region ranked first among 14 subjects of the Volga Federal District in alcohol consumption—14.4 liters per capita. In 2024, the average resident of Kirov consumed 14.38 liters of ethanol. The mortality rates from alcohol in the region also exceed the national average: in 2023, mortality from accidental alcohol poisoning was 16.5 cases per 100,000 population—2.8 times higher than the average in Russia.

      Beer Capital of the Volga?

      The "beer" component is particularly noticeable. In 2024, each resident of the Kirov region consumed 74.38 liters of sold beer—ranking sixth in Russia. According to other data, the region ranks first in the Volga District for beer consumption—83.9 liters per person per year. Each adult resident of the region, on average, drank 94.4 liters of beer and beer-based beverages—one and a half times higher than the national average (60.4 liters).

      The Cost of the Issue: 125 Lives a Year

      In 2024, 125 residents of the Kirov region died from alcohol poisoning. A total of 205 cases of poisoning with alcoholic products were registered over the year. Most of the victims were men aged 18 to 60, with the absolute majority of fatal cases (87%) attributed to the consumption of strong alcoholic beverages in excessive amounts.

      The situation on the roads is no better. In 2024, there were 175 traffic accidents in the Kirov region involving drivers operating vehicles while intoxicated or refusing to undergo testing. In these accidents, 51 people died.

      Authorities' Response: Fines, Licenses, and Programs

      Regional authorities are trying to change the situation. In March 2025, the government of the Kirov region approved a regional program to reduce alcohol consumption among the population for 2025-2030. Starting August 31, 2025, the conditions for licensing alcohol sales in the region changed: for rural settlements, the cost of a license was set at 20,000 rubles per year, and for cities—65,000.

      Kirov deputies also proposed granting regions the right to restrict alcohol sales in stores from 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM—around 140 round-the-clock retail outlets could be affected. The regional prosecutor's office has already shut down more than 50 points of illegal alcohol sales.

      Governor Alexander Sokolov reported in early 2026 that alcohol-related mortality in the region had decreased by more than half compared to 2023—from 42.7 to 19.6 per 100,000 population. However, even with such a decrease, the figures remain above the national average.

      What Experts Say

      Analysts from the "To be precise" project note a correlation between population growth and lower levels of alcohol consumption. In regions where people are leaving, those who remain are less inclined to care about their health. The Kirov region, which is steadily losing population, fits this logic.

      The authors of the study emphasize that about 60% of all alcohol consumed in the country is accounted for by strong drinks. For the Kirov region, where the share of strong alcohol is traditionally high, this suggests a likely continuation of adverse trends in the coming years.