The relationship between alcohol consumption and living standards of the population - results of regional analysis

The article presents the results of the correlation analysis between alcohol consumption in the regions of Russia, on the one hand, and the indicators characterizing the standard of living of the population, on the other: per capita income, unemployment rate and the proportion of people living below the poverty line. The study was conducted using statistical methods based on official regional statistics (Rosstat) for the period from 2010 to 2022. As a result, a close relationship was confirmed between the studied indicators, in particular, between the alcohol consumption indicator, on the one hand, and per capita income and the poverty level in the region, on the other. Thus, it was concluded that people drink largely due to a low standard of living and social instability. The results of the study expand our understanding of the causes of alcohol consumption by the population and can be used in forming regional development strategies in Russia.