New data shows young people drinking less than ever

An NHS study from earlier this year confirms that young people (those aged 18-39) are least likely to drink daily or excessively.

The survey suggested that less than 2% of people in their 20s drink daily compared with 14% of those in their 60s and 22% in their 80s.

The NHS recommendation of alcohol consumption is 14 units per week and only 12.9% of 18-39 year-olds are likely to drink over this limit. Those in their 40s, by comparison, are 52% more likely than their younger counterparts to exceed the government recommendations surrounding alcohol.

This does not necessarily signify a change in the overall drinking culture of the UK as of yet – there still remains an alcohol crisis within the NHS, with alcohol-related illnesses costing the NHS £4.9 billion every year – more specifically it demonstrates a change in the mindset of the youngest drinking generations.

Generation Z act as a “self-conscious generation” putting their health and wellbeing often above all else

Professor Burgess

It is easy to assume that some of the decreased drinking is due to the growing cost that comes alongside alcohol consumption, with beer prices specifically up 36% in only the last four years. However, that alone is not the sole reason for lower levels of drinking. Professor Burgess at the University of Leeds has explained that Generation Z act as a “self-conscious generation“, putting their health and wellbeing often above all else.

Younger generations are “underpinned by anxieties about the environment, amongst other things”

Professor Yeomans

Given what research has shown about the dangers of alcohol consumption, it makes sense that a generation more focused on their wellbeing would be less inclined to be regular drinkers. Furthermore, Professor Yeomans at the University of Leeds suggests that drinking little is a manifestation of control in a world where younger generations are “underpinned by anxieties about the environment, amongst other things“. Not drinking is a way for younger generations to exert control over a seemingly uncontrollable political and environmental climate.

Finally, it is additionally clear that, while alcohol consumption is decreasing among younger generations, it is also decreasing overall – 24% of adults did not drink in 2024, compared to 19% in 2022. This could represent a possible shift in the future drinking scene of the United Kingdom.