Patterns in drinking across the four UK nations

Background

This report compares trends in key variables around alcohol consumption between the four UK nations using data from Drinkaware Monitor surveys from 2017 to 2022. 

What did we find?

• Northern Ireland has the highest proportion of High Risk/Possible dependent drinkers. However, the proportion did not significantly change for any nation between 2017 and 2022.
• England has the highest proportion of drinkers consuming more than 14 units each week. However, only Northern Ireland saw a significant decrease between 2018 and 2022.
• England has the highest proportion of adults who drink on four or more days each week and was the only nation which saw a significant decrease between 2018 and 2022.
• Northern Ireland has the highest proportion of drinkers who binge drink daily or almost daily. However, no nation saw a significant decrease between 2018 and 2022.

For more information, you can download the full review or summary report below.