Alcohol Consumption UK

In 2021, 49% of adults (aged 16+) drank alcohol on at least one day each week.

• 57% of men drank at least once a week compared to 43% of women.
• 8% of men reported drinking almost daily compared to 5% of women.
• Adults aged between 55 and 74 were the most likely to drink alcohol on at least one day each week whereas adults aged between 16 and 24 were the least likely (59% vs 31%).
• The proportion of adults who drink at least once a week declined from 54% to 49% between 2011 and 2021.

Source: Health Survey for England

In 2022/23, 44% of adults (aged 16+) drank alcohol on at least one day each week.

• 55% of men drank at least once a week compared to 40% of women.
• 7% of men reported drinking almost daily compared to 4% of women.
• Adults aged between 45 and 64 were the most likely to drink alcohol on at least one day each week whereas adults aged between 16 and 44 were the least likely (52% vs 33%).
• The proportion of adults who drink at least once a week declined from 52% to 44% between 2011 and 2023.

Source: National Survey for Wales; Welsh Health Survey

In 2022, 49% of adults (aged 16+) drank alcohol on at least one day each week.

• 56% of men drank at least once a week compared to 43% of women.
• 7% of men reported drinking almost daily compared to 4% of women.
• Adults aged between 55 and 64 were the most likely to drink alcohol on at least one day each week whereas adults aged between 16 and 24 were the least likely (55% vs 43%).
• The proportion of adults who drink at least once a week declined from 53% to 49% between 2011 and 2022.

Source: Scottish Health Survey

In 2022/23, 50% of adults (aged 18+) drank alcohol on at least one day each week.

• 57% of men drank at least once a week compared to 42% of women.
• 16% of men drank 3 or more days a week compared to 15% of women.
• Adults aged between 55 and 64 were the most likely to drink alcohol on at least one day each week whereas adults aged between 18 and 24 were the least likely (60% vs 38%).
• The proportion of adults who drink at least once a week declined from 54% to 50% between 2011 and 2023.

Source: Health Survey Northern Ireland

In 2021, 21% of adults (aged 16+) did not drink alcohol.

• 18% of men did not drink alcohol compared to 24% of women.
• Adults aged between 16 and 24 were the most likely to not drink alcohol whereas adults aged between 55 and 74 were the least likely (38% vs 15%).
• The proportion of non-drinkers increased from 16% to 20% between 2011 and 2021

Source: Health Survey for England

In 2022/23, 17% of adults (aged 16+) did not drink alcohol.

• 15% of men did not drink alcohol compared to 19% of women.
• Adults aged 65+ were the most likely to not drink alcohol whereas adults aged between 45 and 64 were the least likely (21% vs 15%).
• The proportion of non-drinkers increased from 13% to 17% between 2011 and 2023.

Source: National Survey for Wales; Welsh Health Survey

In 2022, 19% of adults (aged 16+) did not drink alcohol.

• 17% of men did not drink alcohol compared to 21% of women.
• Adults aged 75+ were the most likely to not drink alcohol whereas adults aged between 55 and 64 were the least likely (27% vs 16%).
• The proportion of non-drinkers increased from 14% to 19% between 2011 and 2022.

Source: Scottish Health Survey

In 2021/22, 23% of adults (aged 18+) did not drink alcohol.

• 19% of men did not drink alcohol compared to 26% of women.
• Adults aged 75+ were the most likely to not drink alcohol whereas adults aged between 16 and 24, 25 and 34, and 35 and 44 were the least likely (48% vs 16%).
• The proportion of non-drinkers has remained stable at 23% between 2011 and 2023.

Source: Health Survey Northern Ireland

In 2021, 57% of adults (aged 16+) drank up to 14 units each week and 23% drank more than 14 units.

• 28% of men drank more than 14 units each week compared to 15% of women.
• Adults aged between 55 and 64 were the most likely to drink more than 14 units each week whereas adults aged between 16 and 24 were the least likely (28% vs 15%).
• The proportion of adults drinking more than 14 units each week declined from 26% to 21% between 2011 and 2021.

Source: Health Survey for England

In 2022/23, 66% of adults (aged 16+) drank up to 14 units each week and 17% drank more than 14 units.

• 25% of men drank more than 14 units each week compared to 10% of women.
• Adults aged between 45 and 64 were the most likely to drink more than 14 units each week whereas adults aged between 16 and 44 were the least likely (22% vs 13%).
• The proportion of adults drinking more than 14 units each week declined from 20% to 17% between 2017 and 2023.

Source: National Survey for Wales; Welsh Health Survey

In 2022, 58% of adults (aged 16+) drank up to 14 units each week and 22% drank more than 14 units.

• 31% of men drank more than 14 units each week compared to 15% of women.
• Adults aged between 55 and 64 were the most likely to drink more than 14 units each week whereas adults aged 75+ were the least likely (28% vs 15%).
• The proportion of adults drinking more than 14 units each week declined from 28% to 22% between 2011 and 2022.

Source: Scottish Health Survey

In 2022/23, 61% of adults (aged 18+) drank up to 14 units each week and 16% drank more than 14 units.

• 25% of men drank more than 14 units each week compared to 9% of women.
• Adults aged between 45 and 54 were the most likely to drink more than 14 units each week whereas adults aged 75+ were the least likely (22% vs 7%).
• The proportion of adults drinking more than 14 units each week declined from 25% to 16% between 2011 and 2023.

Source: Health Survey Northern Ireland

In 2021, 12% of adults (aged 16+) reported binge drinking in the previous week.

• 15% of men reported binge drinking in the previous week compared to 9% of women.
• Adults aged between 55 and 64 were the most likely to report binge drinking in the previous week whereas adults aged 75+ were the least likely (15% vs 2%).
• The proportion of adults who reported binge drinking in the previous week declined from 17% to 12% between 2011 and 2021.

Source: Health Survey for England

In 2019/20, 13% of adults (aged 16+) reported binge drinking in the previous week.

• 16% of men reported binge drinking in the previous week compared to 11% of women.
• Adults aged between 16 and 44 and 45 and 64 were the most likely to report binge drinking in the previous week whereas adults aged 65+ were the least likely (16% vs 6%).
• The proportion of adults who reported binge drinking in the previous week declined from 26% to 13% between 2011 and 2019/20.

Source: National Survey for Wales; Welsh Health Survey

In 2022, 15% of adults (aged 16+) reported binge drinking in the previous week.

• 17% of men reported binge drinking in the previous week compared to 13% of women.
• Adults aged between 35 and 44 were the most likely to report binge drinking in the previous week whereas adults aged 75+ were the least likely (20% vs 2%).
• The proportion of adults who reported binge drinking in the previous week declined from 21% to 15% between 2011 and 2022.

Source: Scottish Health Survey

England

In 2023, 60% of adults (aged 18+) were drinking at low risk levels.

• 3% of adults were drinking at high risk levels and 3% were drinking at possible dependent levels.
• 54% of men drank at low risk levels compared to 66% of women.
• Adults aged between 18 and 24 were the least likely to drink at low risk levels whereas adults aged 76+ were the least likely (46% vs 76%).

Wales

In 2023, 60% of adults (aged 18+) were drinking at low risk levels.

• 3% of adults were drinking at high risk levels and 2% were drinking at possible dependent levels.
• 54% of men drank at low risk levels compared to 66% of women.
• Adults aged between 18 and 24 and 35 and 44 were the least likely to drink at low risk levels whereas adults aged 76+ were the most likely (54% vs 77%).

Scotland

In 2023, 57% of adults (aged 18+) were drinking at low risk levels.

• 2% of adults were drinking at high risk levels and 2% were drinking at possible dependent levels.
• 50% of men drank at low risk levels compared to 64% of women.
• Adults aged between 18 and 24 were the least likely to drink at low risk levels whereas adults aged 76+ were the least likely (46% vs 68%).

Northern Ireland

In 2023, 57% of adults (aged 18+) were drinking at low risk levels.

• 3% of adults were drinking at high risk levels and 3% were drinking at possible dependent levels.
• 51% of men drank at low risk levels compared to 63% of women.
• Adults aged between 18 and 34 were the least likely to drink at low risk levels whereas adults aged 76+ were the most likely (50% vs 63%).

Source: The Drinkaware Monitor

England

In 2023, 49% of adults (aged 18+) were drinking at low risk levels.

• 11% of adults were drinking at high risk levels and 2% were drinking at possible dependent levels.
• 41% of men drank at low risk levels compared to 56% of women.
• Adults aged between 18 and 24 were the least likely to drink at low risk levels whereas adults aged 76+ were the least likely (43% vs 63%).

Wales

In 2023, 49% of adults (aged 18+) were drinking at low risk levels.

• 14% of adults were drinking at high risk levels and 2% were drinking at possible dependent levels.
• 44% of men drank at low risk levels compared to 55% of women.
• Adults aged between 35 and 44 were the least likely to drink at low risk levels whereas adults aged 76+ were the most likely (40% vs 67%).

Scotland

In 2023, 44% of adults (aged 18+) were drinking at low risk levels.

• 15% of adults were drinking at high risk levels and 2% were drinking at possible dependent levels.
• 35% of men drank at low risk levels compared to 51% of women.
• Adults aged between 18 and 24 were the least likely to drink at low risk levels whereas adults aged 76+ were the most likely (38% vs 58%).

Northern Ireland

In 2023, 45% of adults (aged 18+) were drinking at low risk levels.

• 15% of adults were drinking at high risk levels and 1% were drinking at possible dependent levels.
• 39% of men drank at low risk levels compared to 51% of women.
• Adults aged between 18 and 34 were the least likely to drink at low risk levels whereas adults aged 55+ were the most likely (42% vs 51%).

Source: The Drinkaware Monitor

In 2021/22, an average of 496ml of beer/lager was consumed by each person each week.

• 233ml of wine was consumed per person each week.
• 84 ml of cider was consumed per person each week.
• 70 ml of spirts was consumed per person each week.

Source: Family Food: Countries and Regions 

In 2021/22, an average of 609ml of beer/lager was consumed by each person each week.

• 251 ml of wine was consumed per person each week.
• 93ml of wine was consumed per person each week.
• 75ml of spirits was consumed per person each week.

Source: Family Food: Countries and Regions 

In 2021/22, an average of 511ml of beer/lager was consumed by each person each week.

• 201ml of wine was consumed per person each week.
• 82ml of spirits was consumed per person each week.
• 70ml of cider was consumed per person each week.

Source: Family Food: Countries and Regions 

In 2021/22, an average of 303ml of beer/lager was consumed per person each week.

• 229ml of wine was consumed per person each week.
• 82ml of spirits was consumed per person each week.
• 47ml of cider was consumed per person each week.

Source: Family Food: Countries and Regions 

In 2021/22, an average of 497ml of beer/lager was consumed per person each week.

• 232ml of wine was consumed per person each week.
• 82ml of cider was consumed per person each week.
• 71ml of spirits was consumed per person each week.

Source: Family Food: Countries and Regions 

In 2021/22, the average spend on alcohol per person per week was £6.08 which declined from £6.42 in 2015/16.

• On average, each person spent £3.89 on alcohol for the household each week compared to £2.19 for consumption outside the home.
• Weekly spend on alcohol for the household increased from £3.18 to £3.89 between 2015/16 and 2021/22.
• Weekly spend on alcohol for consumption outside the home declined from £3.24 to £2.19 between 2015/16 and 2021/22.

Source: Family Food: Countries and Regions

In 2021/22, the average spend on alcohol per person per week was £5.89 which increased from £5.67 in 2015/16.

• On average, each person spent £4.70 on alcohol for the household each week compared to £1.19 for consumption outside the home.
• Weekly spend on alcohol for the household increased from £3.23 to £4.70 between 2015/16 and 2021/22.
• Weekly spend on alcohol for consumption outside the home declined from £2.44 to £1.19 between 2015/16 and 2021/22.

Source: Family Food: Countries and Regions

In 2021/22, the average spend on alcohol per person per week was £6.47 which declined from £6.64 in 2015/16.

• On average, each person spent £4.09 on alcohol for the household each week compared to £2.37 for consumption outside the home.
• Weekly spend on alcohol for the household increased from £3.98 to £4.09 between 2015/16 and 2021/22.
• Weekly spend on alcohol for consumption outside the home declined from £2.66 to £2.37 between 2015/16 and 2021/22.

Source: Family Food: Countries and Regions

In 2021/22, the average spend on alcohol per person per week was £6.18 which declined from £7.53 in 2015/16.

• On average, each person spent £3.80 on alcohol for the household each week compared to £2.37 for consumption outside the home.
• Weekly spend on alcohol for the household declined from £4.18 to £3.80 between 2015/16 and 2021/22.
• Weekly spend on alcohol for consumption outside the home declined from £3.34 to £2.37 between 2015/16 and 2021/22.

Source: Family Food: Countries and Regions 

In 2021/22, the average spend on alcohol per person per week was £6.09 which declined from £6.43 in 2015/16.

• On average, each person spent £3.95 on alcohol for the household each week compared to £2.14 for consumption outside the home.
• Weekly spend on alcohol for the household increased from £3.28 to £3.95 between 2015/16 and 2021/22.
• Weekly spend on alcohol for consumption outside the home declined from £3.16 to £2.14 between 2015/16 and 2021/22.

Source: Family Food: UK

In 2018/19, alcohol accounted for around 8% of all adult drinker’s total energy intake.

• Adult drinkers consumed around 20 grams of alcohol each day.
• Alcohol accounted for 7% of all female drinker's (aged 19 to 64) total energy intake and 8% of all male drinker's (aged 19 to 64) total energy intake.
• Both male and female drinkers aged between 19 and 64 consumed around 21 grams of alcohol per day.

Source: National Diet and Nutrition Survey