In its Global action plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases 2013–2030, WHO set a goal of reducing harmful use of alcohol by 10% by 2025. We agree with other researchers’ predictions10,11 that it is unlikely that Member States will achieve this goal. Per capita consumption of alcohol is one indicator used to assess progress towards this goal, yet leading alcohol epidemiologists recently concluded that global per capita consumption among adults (aged 15 years or older) would likely increase from 6.5 litres in 2017 to 7.6 litres by 2030 (an increase of 17%).11 Low- and middle-income countries are expected to contribute the largest increases in consumption.11
