Chechnya Leads in Lowest Alcohol Sales

In 2025, residents of the North Caucasus regions consumed the least amount of hard liquor in Russia. The lowest official retail sales figures were recorded in Chechnya (0.01 liters per capita). Other republics of the North Caucasus Federal District also demonstrated modest figures: Ingushetia - 0.7 liters, Dagestan - 2.2 liters, Kabardino-Balkaria - 2.6 liters, North Ossetia - 3 liters, and Karachay-Cherkessia - 3.4 liters. Experts attribute this decline to the prevalence of cultural and religious restrictions, as well as a preference for low-alcohol beverages.

At the same time, despite the low overall figures, several regions of the North Caucasus saw an increase in hard liquor sales in 2025, ranging from 1.9% in Stavropol Krai to 13.4% in North Ossetia. The exceptions were Dagestan, where sales remained stable, and Chechnya, where a sharp decline of 86.8% was recorded.

According to Rosalkogoltobakkontrol, the highest rates of strong alcohol consumption were observed in the northern and Far Eastern regions. Karelia led the way with 21.2 liters per adult per capita, double the Russian average. Also among the leaders were Sakhalin Oblast (19 liters), Komi (18.2 liters), Chukotka (17.9 liters), Magadan (17.2 liters), and Murmansk Oblasts (17.1 liters).

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