The number of people dying due to drinking alcohol or a condition linked to alcohol consumption increased by 14% between 2013 and 2021. Around 11 people suffer an alcohol-related death every day in Belgium.
New figures from the federal health institute Sciensano (based on official death certificates and scientifically reviewed disease burden studies) show that the impact of alcohol on death rates is growing year on year.
In 2013, an estimated 3,522 people in Belgium died as a result of alcohol or a condition linked to alcohol consumption. By 2021, the figure surged to 4,021 deaths, marking a 14% increase, De Tijd reported.
The number of alcohol-related deaths per 100,000 people shot up by almost 10% between 2013 and 2021: from 31.7 in 2013 to 34.8 in 2021.
"We are seeing that the impact of alcohol consumption on mortality rates has increased in our country," said Brecht Devleesschauwer, epidemiologist and head of the Health Information Service.
Alcoholism and cancers
Alcoholism is identified as the direct cause of death in 9% of alcohol-related deaths. In more than nine in ten cases, other conditions or diseases caused by alcohol consumption lead to death.
Cancers – namely colon, oesophageal or liver cancers – are by far the leading group with over a third of alcohol-linked deaths. This is followed by cirrhosis of the liver, accidents and violence or self-harm. "These deaths not only include heavy drinkers but also people who drink alcohol regularly or only occasionally. There is no such thing as a healthy level of alcohol consumption," said Devleesschauwer.
Figures were significantly higher in Brussels (45.6 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021) and Wallonia (43) than in Flanders (29.3). However, in the Flemish region, the impact of alcohol on mortality has increased faster. Per 100,000 people, the number of deaths increased by 13.4% between 2013 and 2021, compared to 5.5% in Wallonia.
Most alcohol-related deaths involve men (70%). This has also become more prevalent since 2013.
Some four in ten people in Belgium who died of alcohol-related deaths in 2021 were aged 65 to 84. Another third were between 45 and 64. The share of deaths with a link to alcohol increased faster among the elderly (8% in 2013 to almost 17% in 2021).
Tobacco use
Of the 300 daily deaths in Belgium, around 11 can be attributed to alcohol consumption or around 3.5% of all deaths. This is still significantly less than the more than 8% or some 9,000 deaths attributed to smoking and tobacco use.
"Unlike alcohol, the impact of tobacco is strongly on the decline," said Devleesschauwer. "The fact that alcohol is part of everyday life makes it difficult to combat its harmful effects. More awareness about the often underestimated health risks is a crucial first step."
The health institute advocates greater regulation of the availability, advertising and minimum age for purchasing alcohol.
