Worldwide almost a quarter (24.8%) of all alcohol consumed is consumed in the form of
unrecorded alcohol (see Figure 3). In some countries, particularly within the WHO SouthEast
Asia Region and the Eastern Mediterranean Region, unrecorded alcohol consumption
makes up more than 50% of total alcohol consumption. For example, in some countries
where alcohol is banned, as in some Islamic states in the Eastern Mediterranean Region,
unrecorded alcohol amounts to 100% or almost 100% of total APC. Also, in lower middle
and low-income countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region, particularly India, homemade
spirits constitute a high proportion of total alcohol consumed (see section 2.2.4.4
for further data by income group).