Alcohol Statistics in the UK

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

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

Key Takeaways

• In 2021, people in the UK consumed 82 liters per capita of alcoholic beverages¹⁶
• 7,544 alcohol-specific deaths across the UK were recorded in 2019⁶
• Among 15-49 year-olds in the UK, alcohol misuse is the most significant risk factor for death, ill health, and disability¹⁰
• Overall, fewer people have been drinking in the UK since 2005¹⁰
• In 2019/20, people in the UK spend an average of £7.4 per week on alcohol¹

Alcohol Use Statistics in the UK

England

• 24% of adults older than 16 reported drinking alcohol at least once a week in 2019¹
  • 20% of adults (aged 16+) were non-drinkers
  • People 55 and 74 were the most likely to report drinking alcohol at least once a week
• 55% of males reported drinking alcohol at least once a week¹
• 41% of females reported drinking alcohol at least once a week¹

Wales

• 60% of adults aged 16+ consumed up to 14 units of alcohol weekly in 2019-2020²
• The average alcohol consumption of people 16+ is 537 units²
• 21% of adults aged 16% were non-drinkers

Scotland

• 61% of the population is classified as moderate drinkers³
  • 67% of females were moderate drinkers
  • 54% of males were moderate drinkers
• People ages 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 alcohol⁴
  • This number is higher than the 77% recorded in 2019/20
• 58% of drinkers reported drinking at least once a week in 2020/21⁴
• 83% of males and 80% of females were drinkers in 2021/21⁴

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Alcohol Abuse (Binge Drinking) Statistics in the UK

England

• In 2019, 15% of people reported they engaged in binge drinking in the last week¹
  • 19% of males reported binge drinking the previous week
  • 12% of females reported binge drinking in the last week
• People between 25 and 34 were the most likely to report binge drinking in the last week¹

Wales

• In 2020, 30% of people reported they engaged in binge drinking in the last week¹
• IN 2018-2019, 18% of adults who were hazardous or harmful drinkers consumed 68% of all alcohol drunk by Welsh adults¹⁵

Scotland

• In 2019, 18% of people reported they engaged in binge drinking in the last week¹
• Most people disapprove of excessive drinking¹⁴
  • Only 19% thought that 'getting drunk is 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 drinking session⁵
• 35% of males binge drink, while 25% of females did⁵
• Respondents mostly exceed the recommended daily alcohol limit on Saturday and Friday⁵
  • 53% exceeded the limit on Saturdays
  • 31% exceeded the limit on Fridays 

Alcohol Addiction Statistics in the UK

England

• In 2018/19, there were an estimated 602,391 dependent drinkers¹⁰
  • Out of this number, only 18% are receiving treatment 
• 74,618 people were in treatment at specialist alcohol misuse services in 2019/20¹⁰

Wales

• 45% of men and 34% of women report drinking above the recommended guidelines¹¹
• 14% of adults have been exposed to alcohol misuse during childhood¹¹

Scotland

• In 2021, 23% engaged in hazardous or harmful levels of weekly alcohol consumption¹²
  • This number has declined steadily since 2003 (34%)
  • 31% of men participated in dangerous levels of weekly alcohol consumption
  • 16% of women participated in harmful levels of weekly alcohol consumption

Northern Ireland

• Alcohol abuse in individuals who had conflict-related trauma is around 19.5% and 7.2% among those with none¹³
• Alcohol dependency stands at 3.9% in individuals with conflict-related trauma, compared to only 1.1% among those with none¹³

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Deaths Caused by Alcohol Use in the UK

England

• There were 5,820 recorded alcohol-specific deaths in 2019⁶
  • 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 2019⁶
  • 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 2019⁶
  • 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 2019⁶
  • Male alcohol-specific death rates were 25.6 per 100,000
  • Female alcohol-specific death rates were 13.4 per 100,000

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Alcohol Use in Young People in the UK

England

• 10% of children ages 11 to 15 reported having drunk alcohol in the last week in 2018⁶
  • 56% of this age group has never had an alcoholic drink
• Children were most likely to drink beer, lager, or cider (76%)⁶

Wales

In 203-2014:

• 7% of boys aged 11 to 16 drink alcohol at least once a week⁷
• 5% of girls aged 11 to 16 drink alcohol at least once a week⁷

Scotland

• 32% of 13-year-olds 70% of 15-year-olds have drunk alcohol⁸
• 44% of 13-year-olds and 70% of 15-year-olds who have tried alcohol have been drunk at least once⁸
• Each week, an average of 17 teenagers aged 15 to 19 are admitted to a hospital for an alcohol-related condition⁸

Northern Ireland

• 33.4% of children ages 11 to 16 have reported ever having taken a drink⁹
  • This is a substantial decrease from 2000 (56.9%)

UK Resources for Alcohol Use and Addiction

England

• Turning Point: They offer individual support for people with alcohol issues, as well as mental health concerns or learning disabilities
• Alcoholics Anonymous: A support group where people recovering from alcohol addiction can share their experiences 

Wales

• Dan 24/7: A bilingual English and Welsh helpline. They offer 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: A charity that offers support and information for those affected by alcohol addiction.