Alcohol Statistics in the UK

Drinking alcohol is a popular social activity in the UK. While most people drink alcohol moderately, some struggle with alcohol misuse or abuse.

The following data provide an overview of current statistics about alcohol consumption and misuse in the UK:

• Overall, fewer people have been drinking in the UK since 2005.¹⁰
• In 2019 and 2020, people in the UK spent an average of £7.43 per week on alcohol.¹
• In 2021, people in the UK consumed 82 litres per capita of alcoholic beverages.¹⁶
• Among 15 to 49-year-olds in the UK, alcohol misuse is the most significant risk factor for death, ill health, and disability.¹⁰
• A total of 7,544 alcohol-specific deaths across the UK were recorded in 2019.⁶
• Between 2023 and 2027, higher-risk drinking may contribute to a projected rise of 12 litres (+14.24%) in the average per capita consumption of alcohol in the UK.¹⁶
• The projected average per capita volume in the alcoholic drinks market in the UK for 2027 is estimated to be 96.23 litres.¹⁶

Is Alcoholism a Big Problem in the UK?

Yes, alcoholism is a significant problem in the UK. According to the National Health Service (NHS), more than 7.5 million people in the UK exhibit signs of alcohol dependence or misuse.¹⁷

Around 10 million people seek medical help for alcohol-related issues yearly, accounting for 2.1% of all hospital admissions related to alcohol.¹⁷ 

Alcohol-specific deaths in the UK remain the third leading cause of preventable death.¹⁷

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Alcohol Use Statistics in the UK

Alcohol consumption and misuse can have a significant impact on people, families, and society. The following statistics provide insight into alcohol use in the UK:

England

• 48% of adults older than 16 reported drinking alcohol at least once a week in 2019.¹
• 20% of adults (aged 16+) were non-drinkers.
• People aged 55 to 74 were the most likely to report drinking alcohol at least once a week.
• 55% of males and 41% of females reported drinking pure alcohol at least once a week.¹

Wales

• 60% of adults aged 16+ consumed up to 14 units of alcohol weekly in 2019–2020.²
• The average alcohol consumption of people 16+ is 537 units.²
• 21% of adults aged 16+ were non-drinkers.

Scotland

• 61% of the population is classified as moderate drinkers.³
• 67% of females and 54% of males were moderate drinkers.
• People aged 25 to 34 were most likely to be moderate drinkers (69%).³

Northern Ireland

• In 2020/21, 81% of adults aged 18+ said they drank alcohol.⁴
  • This number is higher than the 77% recorded in 2019/20.
• 58% of drinkers reported drinking at least once a week in 2020/21.⁴
• 83% of males and 80% of females were drinkers in 2020/21.⁴

Alcohol Abuse (Binge Drinking) Statistics in the UK

Excessive alcohol consumption, or binge drinking, can lead to various health and social problems. The following statistics provide an overview of this issue in the UK:

England

• In 2019, 15% of people reported binge drinking.¹
  • 19% of males and 12% of females reported binge drinking.
• People between 25 and 34 were the most likely to report binge drinking.¹

Wales

• In 2020, 30% of people reported binge drinking.¹
• In 2018–2019, 18% of adults who were hazardous or harmful drinkers consumed 68% of all alcohol drunk by Welsh adults.¹⁵

Scotland

• In 2019, 18% of people reported binge drinking.¹
• Most Scottish people disapprove of excessive drinking.¹⁴
  • Only 19% thought that getting drunk was a perfectly acceptable thing to do on weekends.

Northern Ireland

• 30% of people who drank the week before had engaged in at least one binge drink session.⁵
• When examining binge drinking patterns among male and female drinkers, 35% of males and 25% of females engaged in this behavior.⁵
• Respondents mostly exceed the recommended daily alcohol limit on Saturdays and Fridays.⁵
  • 53% exceeded the limit on Saturdays.
  • 31% exceeded the limit on Fridays.

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Alcohol Addiction Statistics in the UK

Alcohol addiction, also known as alcoholism or alcohol dependence, is a chronic and relapsing disease that can severely affect individuals and society as a whole. The following statistics provide insight into alcohol addiction in the UK:

England

• In 2018/19, there were an estimated 602,391 dependent drinkers.¹⁰
  • Out of this number, only 18% are receiving treatment.
• In 2019/20, specialist alcohol misuse services supported 74,618 people in alcohol treatment programs.¹⁰

Wales

• 45% of men and 34% of women reported drinking above the recommended guidelines.¹¹
• 14% of adults have been exposed to alcohol misuse during childhood.¹¹

Scotland

• In 2021, 23% engaged in hazardous or harmful levels of weekly alcohol consumption.¹²
  • This number has declined steadily since 2003 (34%).
  • 31% of men and 16% of women participated in dangerous levels of weekly alcohol consumption.

Northern Ireland

• Alcohol abuse among people with conflict-related trauma is around 19.5% and 7.2% among those with none.¹³
• Alcohol dependency stands at 3.9% in people with conflict-related trauma, compared to only 1.1% among those with none.¹³

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Deaths Caused by Alcohol Use in the UK

Severe alcohol misuse can lead to death. Many of these deaths are due to the conditions chronic alcohol consumption causes. These include alcoholic liver disease and drunk driving.

The following statistics show the impact of alcohol use on mortality rates in the UK: 

England

• In 2019, England reported that harmful drinking habits led to 5,820 recorded alcohol-specific deaths.⁶
  • Male alcohol-specific death rates were 18.6 per 100,000.
  • Female alcohol-specific death rates were 9.4 per 100,000.

Wales

• There were 369 recorded alcohol-specific deaths in 2019.⁶
  • Male alcohol-specific death rates were 21.1 per 100,000.
  • Female alcohol-specific death rates were 9.2 per 100,000.

Scotland

• There were 1,020 recorded alcohol-specific deaths in 2019.⁶
  • Male alcohol-specific death rates were 31.4 per 100,000.
  • Female alcohol-specific death rates were 14.1 per 100,000.

Northern Ireland

• There were 336 recorded alcohol-specific deaths in 2019.⁶
  • Male alcohol-specific death rates were 25.6 per 100,000.
  • Female alcohol-specific death rates were 13.4 per 100,000.

Alcohol Use in Young People in the UK

Alcohol consumption among young people in the UK has been a concern for many years. The following statistics highlight the prevalence of alcohol use among this demographic:

England

• 10% of children aged 11 to 15 reported having drunk alcohol in 2018.⁶
  • 56% of this age group has never had an alcoholic drink.
• Children were most likely to drink beer, lager, or cider (76%).⁶

Wales

• 7% of boys and 5% of girls aged 11 to 16 drank alcohol at least once a week in 2013-2014.⁷

Scotland

• 28% of 13-year-olds and 66% of 15-year-olds have drunk alcohol.⁸
• 45% of 13-year-olds and 68% of 15-year-olds who have tried alcohol have been drunk at least once.⁸
• Among 15-year-olds, 19% of girls and 16% of boys reported drinking in 2021. However, there was no disparity between 13-year-old boys and girls in this regard.⁸
• The primary drinking location for 13-year-olds is their own home, while 15-year-olds tend to consume alcohol at parties with friends.⁸

Northern Ireland

• 33.4% of children aged 11 to 16 have reported having taken a drink, a substantial decrease from 2000 (56.9%).⁹

UK Resources for Alcohol Use and Addiction

Various resources are available for those struggling with alcohol addiction in the UK, including:

England

• Turning Point: They provide support for those with alcohol issues, comprehensive mental health treatment, and assistance for learning disabilities.
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): AA is a support group where people recovering from alcohol addiction can share their experiences.

Wales

• Dan 24/7: This bilingual English and Welsh helpline offers a single point of contact for anyone in Wales looking for alcohol-related information.

Scotland

• Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs: SFAD is recommended for people concerned about their loved one’s alcohol use.
• Young Scot: They offer resources and information regarding alcoholism (and other addictions) for 11 to 26-year-olds in Scotland.

Northern Ireland

• HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline: They offer a free and confidential place to talk through your concerns about alcohol.
• Alcohol Forum Ireland: The charity offers support and information for those affected by alcohol addiction.

Summary

Alcohol addiction is a significant issue in the UK, with high rates of alcohol use and related deaths. It affects people of all ages.

Moreover, alcohol addiction can adversely affect individuals, families, and society. Fortunately, resources are available for those struggling with alcoholism to seek help and overcome their addiction.

Discuss this topic with your friends to raise awareness about alcoholism and its impact. If you suspect that you or someone you know is dealing with alcohol addiction, seek immediate help to start the journey toward recovery today.