"Long-term Gallup research compiled in 2023 showed the share of adults younger than 35 who said they drink alcohol at all had steadily declined, from 72% in 2001-2003 to 62% in 2021-2023. A Gallup survey conducted in July 2025 found that figure dropped further to 50% and that just 54% of Americans of legal drinking age reported consuming alcohol at all, the lowest level Gallup has recorded in 90 years."
"cited long-term health survey data from the National Institutes of Health showing similar declines. Over the past 20 years, the share of people ages 18 to 20 who reported drinking alcohol declined from nearly 70% to around 35%. Among those ages 21 to 25, the proportion who drink has remained steady at about 80%, but the self-reported number of servings has fallen by nearly half."
Young people in the United States are reporting lower alcohol use, with Dry January and alcohol-free lifestyles becoming common for some. Gallup data show the share of adults under 35 who drink fell from 72% in 2001–2003 to 62% in 2021–2023, and to 50% in a July 2025 Gallup survey; 54% of Americans of legal drinking age reported consuming alcohol at all. NIH-linked data show ages 18–20 drinking rates declined from nearly 70% to about 35% over 20 years, while ages 21–25 remain near 80% but report nearly half as many servings. Drinks-industry data from IWSR indicate average weekly drinks per U.S. adult have not changed significantly since 1975, highlighting that measurement and changing consumption patterns complicate interpretations of a uniform decline.
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