The percentage of overall Americans who drink alcohol has fallen to its lowest point in nearly 90 years, as more people reportedly believe that even moderate drinking is harmful for their health.
According to a Gallup survey published this week, just 54% of adults in the U.S. claim they drink alcohol “on occasion,” down quite a bit from 62% in 2023, and well below the consistently listed 60%-plus rates seen from 1997 through 2022.
The trend shows three consecutive years of decline, the steepest drop in Gallup’s recorded history on the topic.
The shift also comes alongside a major change in public opinion: for the first time since Gallup began tracking the issue in 2001, a majority of Americans (53%) now say even one or two drinks a day is bad for your health, up sharply from just 28% in 2018.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that even light drinking may increase the risk of chronic disease and death. The World Health Organization has also reported that “no level” of alcohol is safe. In January, former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called on Congress to update alcohol warning labels to showcase links to different types of cancer.
Who’s Drinking Less?
- Young adults under 35 saw the largest decline, from 59% saying they drink in 2023 to 50% today – the first time their rate has fallen below that of middle-aged or older adults.
- Women reported an 11-point drop over two years, compared to a five-point decline among men.
- Republicans saw the steepest “partisan” drop, down 19 points since 2023, while Democrats’ drinking rates mainly stayed level.
The change does not appear to be driven by any substitution with marijuana. While cannabis use is higher than a decade ago, Gallup reports it has pretty much held steady over the past four years.
Even among those who still drink, patterns are shifting. Gallup found:
- A record-low 24% of drinkers had a drink in the past 24 hours.
- 40% say it has been over a week since their last drink – the highest number listed since 2000.
- The average number of drinks consumed in the past week fell to 2.8, down from 3.8 last year and the lowest since 1996.
Beer holds steady as America’s most popular alcoholic beverage, but the gender divide remains: men are far more likely to reach for beer, while women more often prefer wine.
As drinking overall declines across the country, the nonalcoholic beverage industry has allegedly boomed. Bars, restaurants, and retailers have now found themselves expanding offerings for “sober-curious” customers, per Gallup.
The alcohol data from Gallup seems to follow signs of shifting drug use patterns in the country.
In May, The Dallas Express reported that overall teen drug use has fallen since 2020, yet hard drugs like fentanyl, methamphetamine, and certain sedatives are gaining traction among Americans under the age of 18.