UK alcohol consumption falls to record low
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/12/21/uk-alcohol-consumption-falls-to-record-low/
Posted by StGuthlac2025
UK alcohol consumption falls to record low
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/12/21/uk-alcohol-consumption-falls-to-record-low/
Posted by StGuthlac2025
32 Comments
“However, higher prices do not appear to be deterring younger generations.
Generation Z – the cohort aged 28 and under – is bucking the trend, as they appear to be ditching their past abstinence from alcohol and embracing drinking more frequently.
Two years ago, just 69pc of Generation Z said they had drunk any alcohol in the previous six months. That was far below the average of 83pc for all adults. Now that has risen to 79pc, indicating the younger generation is catching up.”
There is hope for them yet.
Well of course it would given how buying a pint nowadays is ruinously expensive especially in London and the south, I mean you basically need a second mortgage just to pay for a night out
There’s an angle which tends to be overlooked, rather than blaming cost alone I’d be looking at appetite suppression drugs like Ozempic, there’re various side effects including nausea, glucose control problems etc when taking them if you drink alcohol beyond a careful moderate level. Given how such drugs are now part of middle age (1.5 million and growing) it could be a factor.
Amazing what raising the cost of everything will do for you, it’s now too expensive to become a social alcoholic
It’s definitely in decline and more than ever. I ve never seen the brewing industry this quiet at Christmas. The next quarter is going to be stagnant !
It’s just not worth paying the price for alcohol these days. I’ve barely touched any this year.
Give it time, I had my work Xmas do on Friday and I reckon I managed to drink enough to move the needle back up again
I think this, by itself, is a good thing. Alcohol causes so much anti-social behaviour, criminality and poor decision-making. Long term excessive use also had a detrimental effect on health.
I’m more concerned about the reasons why this is happening. I don’t think it’s because people have suddenly wisened up to the fact that alcohol is damaging.
Maybe because it’s so expensive now?! Costs me over £6 to get my favourite drink, when it used to be £4
This is likely because going out to a pub is now an expensive enough exercise that people think carefully about whether and when to do it. That’s not a good thing because pubs were the community spaces of most communities, and when they no longer serve that function, we don’t have a casual community venue any more.
Average cost of a pint in the south and tourist cities are anywhere between £5-8.
Doubles of spirits are £7-14
Wine is always a mixed bag but I’d say for a large glass you’re looking at £8-12.
It’s getting too expensive to drink out. 2 drinks can run you between £18-22 depending on what you’re buying. 2 glasses of large white or 2 doubles.
buying a beer at a gig is £9… much like myself they moved on to better drugs
I’m doing my bit, the rest of you clearly aren’t pulling your weight.
£8 a pint in west london. I wonder why people stopped drinking in pubs.
This doesn’t surprise me, really. I’m 29, and drink very infrequently – fewer than five occasions most years – and then when I do drink I get sloshed on almost nothing.
Most people who I know of my age and younger are similar, and many of them have vaping or weed as their chosen vice over alcohol.
Well aye, I ether spend a fortune on fags and alcohol, or just fags.
The price of a pint is a joke, as is vodka and coke.
Because we got high, because we got high, because we got high.
if you look at the history of the temperance movement it goes through highs and lows
A lot of people talking about cost of drinking and health, but I think a bigger story might be demographics. Most immigrants either come from cultures that frown upon excessive drinking, or have religions that prohibit drinking. As a higher proportion of the population comes from these cultures, the total amount of drinking will inevitably decrease
A small but very valid point
“There has also been the phenomenon of ‘premiumisation’ – people drink a little bit less, but more expensive drinks”
Craft beer has exploded in recent years as supermarkets stock more and more craft beer. This could have a significant impact on the numbers as craft beer is a premium product (and price)
Cost of living crisis but can always find a couple of quid for some jars at Wetherspoons
I wonder if seeing their parents and grandparents generarion getting absolutely shitfaced has put them off?
It might haw something to do with how I’m on a good wage but it disappears from my account every month because my food, utilities and transport costs are so fucking high!
Something is really wrong when this is not seen as positive. Even with the prices to high, alcohol consumption was too high.
So with the reducing income for government coffers with less alcohol tax being paid. What are they going to try and tax now?
I used to drink every weekend, but now I just can’t be arsed, it doesn’t interest me one bit.
You can’t moan at young people for spaffing what little money they have on coffees and avocado and then moan at them for not drinking poison often enough.
My freshers this term are experiencing more k-holes than hangovers.
its cheaper to just use weed and you dont feel as bad afterwards!
We definitely go out drinking a lot less than we used to.
But we have a healthy bar at home and make our own cocktails there. Much cheaper and a bit of a hobby too.
and the amount of ppl smoking weed increases, this is a good thing. alcohol is the cause of so much violence, antisocial behaviour and just general crime. just smoke joint order a pizza n play minecraft
I mean, it’s expensive to buy a pint – but also you can buy alcohol cheaper in supermarkets. I bought a bottle of amaretto for £8 the other week, that’s better value than going out for a pint and a half for the same price.