It’s a typically boozy time of year – but Brits are drinking less alcohol than in decades gone by, according to new figures.
Data released by research company IWSR reveals the average UK adult consumed 10.2 alcoholic drinks a week last year.
This is the lowest figure since data collection began in 1990 and represents a significant decrease from the peak of 14 drinks per week two decades ago.
Experts said money pressures, health concerns and an ageing population are driving the trend, with people curbing their drinking rather than going teetotal.
‘The population is ageing and older consumers physiologically don’t drink as much,’ Marten Lodewijks, IWSR president, told the Financial Times.
‘There are also elements of health consciousness… and the cost of living is up so people just can’t afford to “drink out” as much.’
Consumers are also seeking out more expensive drinks – such as fancy cocktails – while cutting back on how much alcohol they consume overall, the experts said.
This ‘premiumisation’ trend allows the alcohol industry to keep making money despite a drop in overall sales.
The average UK adult consumed 10.2 alcoholic drinks a week last year, according to new figures (stock image)
The latest figures suggest that – although people are drinking less than they have done historically – they are still drinking above the NHS recommended limit of 14 units of alcohol per week.
Ten pints of low-strength beer would equal 20 units, while 10 large glasses of wine adds up to 30 units.
Separate data, also published by IWSR, recently revealed that Millennials – born between 1981 and 1996 – still remain the generation most engaged with drinking alcohol.
However, they found that in autumn this year, 81 per cent of Millennials reported drinking in the last six months, down from 83 per cent in spring – the lowest rate for this age group ever recorded as part of the survey.
The IWSR also revealed that interest in ‘Sober October’ and ‘Dry January’ is beginning to stall.
‘Temporary abstinence appears to be less central to moderation strategies than it once was,’ Mr Lodewijks said.
‘This is especially the case among Gen Z drinkers, who have always been its most enthusiastic adopters.
‘Moderation is still an important trend across the entire beverage alcohol industry, but performative abstinence periods are less of the driving force they once were.
‘Instead, consumers moderate by drinking less often and, when they do drink, they tend to drink less.’
Researchers recently discovered that the compatibility of a couple’s drinking habits is a key predictor of how stable their marriage is.
Couples who share similar drinking patterns – whether they abstain completely or are both regular drinkers – tend to report happier unions, they discovered.
They were significantly more satisfied in their relationships compared to couples where only one person reported frequent intoxication.