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The Czech Republic is the most unhealthy country in the world, according to a new study.

Researchers analysed World Health Organisation data on alcohol consumption, tobacco consumption and the prevalence of obesity in 179 countries.

The UK came 19th in the list of the world's least healthy countries, with Britons the 9th heaviest drinkers in the world.

The Clinic Compare study found residents of the Czech Republic to be some of the world’s biggest boozers, with each individual reportedly consuming 13.7 litres of pure alcohol a year. This is equivalent to 550 shots, or 1.5 shots a day.

The country also ranked 11th highest in the world for tobacco consumption.

The research found Russia to be the second most unhealthy country, followed by Slovenia, Belarus, Slovakia and Hungary.

World's most unhealthy countries 1. Czech Republic 2. Russia 3. Slovenia 4. Belarus 5. Slovakia 6. Hungary 7. Croatia 8. Poland 9. Luxembourg 10. Lithuania and the United States

Eastern Europe is reportedly the least healthy region in the world, occupying nine out of the top 10 spots.

The only non-European country in the top 10 was the United States, taking joint tenth place with Lithuania. This is thought to be because 35 per cent of the US population is "dangerously overweight".

The healthiest country was Afghanistan, where consumption and possession of alcohol is illegal. The rate of obesity is also low: 2.7 per cent of Afghanistan’s population had a BMI over 30.

Oceania came out to be the world’s most obese region, with its small Pacific islands home to some of the most overweight populations in the world.

World's least unhealthy countries 1. Afghanistan 2. Guinea 3. Niger 4. Nepal 5. DR Congo 6. Eritrea 7. Malawi 8. Somalia 9. Mozambique 10. Ethiopia

Forty-one per cent of the Samoan population have a BMI over 30, while Fiji, Tonga, Tivalu and Kiribati were also in the top 10 for the most overweight residents.

Guinea was named the second healthiest country, followed by Niger and Nepal.