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the legal drinking age varies across countries and regions, and it's essential to note that the information provided here might change over time. here are the legal drinking ages in several countries:

• united states: 21 years old
• united kingdom: 18 years old (16 or 17 if accompanied by an adult in a private setting)
• canada: 18 or 19 years old, depending on the province or territory
• australia: 18 years old
• germany: 16 years old for beer and wine, 18 for spirits
• france: 18 years old (16 for beer and wine if accompanied by an adult)
• japan: 20 years old
• china: 18 years old
• india: the legal drinking age varies by state, usually ranging from 18 to 25 years old
• south africa: 18 years old

it's important to verify the current legal drinking age in a specific location as laws can change, and there might be regional variations within a country. additionally, some countries might have exceptions or allowances for drinking in certain circumstances, such as for religious ceremonies or under parental supervision.