Booze-free Britain: Quarter of adults now don't drink AT ALL

"Almost a quarter of adults in England now don't drink alcohol at all, new figures suggest - with young people and a rising number of men turning their backs on booze. Data from the Government-backed Health Survey for England found 24 per cent of adults had not had a single alcoholic drink in the last 12 months - up from 19 per cent in 2022. It marks a sharp jump after years of relative stability. Before 2024, and since 2011, the proportion of non-drinkers had largely hovered between 17 and 20 per cent."

"Among those who did drink, the survey found 51 per cent of men and 60 per cent of women drank at lower-risk levels. But men were far more likely to drink heavily, with 27 per cent drinking at increasing or higher-risk levels, compared with 15 per cent of women. Researchers grouped drinkers by risk using weekly unit totals. Lower risk meant sticking to 14 units a week or less, while 'increasing or higher risk' meant drinking above this - with 'higher risk' defined as more than 50 units weekly for men and more than 35 units for women."

"The findings come as low- and alcohol-free drinks boom in popularity, with more adults opting for 'sober curious' lifestyles, alcohol-free beers and no-alcohol cocktails instead of the traditional pint or glass of wine. As of May last year, 53 per cent of UK adults had drunk low or no-alcohol beer, wine, cider, spirits or cocktails in the previous 12 months. Last year, Mintel estimated the market value of low and no-alcohol drinks to be £413 million and said it looked set to keep growing until 2030."

Nearly one in four adults in England (24%) reported no alcohol consumption in the past 12 months, up from 19% in 2022 and above the 17–20% range seen since 2011. Among drinkers, 51% of men and 60% of women consumed alcohol at lower-risk levels, while 27% of men drank at increasing or higher-risk levels compared with 15% of women. Risk categories were defined by weekly units, with lower risk at 14 units or less and higher risk above 50 units for men and above 35 units for women. Low- and no-alcohol products are increasingly popular, with 53% of UK adults trying them and a market valued at £413 million.

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