Who Drowns More: Russians or Americans?

Russians are more likely to drown than Americans — about five times more likely. Russian drowning victims also are more likely to be men; 1 in about 6,000 men in Russia die every year due to drowning. Nearly all — 94 percent — of drownings in Russia are related to alcohol.

More Drowning Facts:

• The drowning rate per capita in Russia is higher than the murder rate per capita in the United States.


• During the summer months, an average of 13 Russians drown per day — that's about the same as the number of drownings in the entire US per day.


• Alcohol doesn't only factor greatly in drownings in Russia — 50 to 70 percent of the drownings in Western Europe and the US are alcohol related as well.