Overall fall in alcohol consumption sees 'divergent' shift in young people's drinking habits

The Healthy Ireland 2025 survey published by the Department of Health has found that by this year 15- to 24-year-olds are reporting the highest rate of alcohol consumption in the past 12 months and those aged 25 to 34 among the lowest. File photo

There has been a “divergent” shift in the drinking habits of young people over the past decade, despite our overall alcohol consumption declining.

In 2015, people aged 25 to 34 had the highest rate of alcohol consumption in the previous 12 months at 85%, while 15- to 24-year-olds were among the lowest.

By 2025, this pattern had reversed with 15- to 24-year-olds now reporting the highest rate of alcohol consumption in the past 12 months (78%) and those aged 25 to 34 among the lowest (70%).

The finding is included in the Healthy Ireland 2025 survey published by the Department of Health.

Overall, 71% of people aged 15 or older reported consuming alcohol during the past 12 months, a two-point decrease from 2024, and five points down since 2015.

The proportion of people drinking weekly and multiple times per week has also declined since 2015, with 35% drinking at least once per week and 20% drinking multiple times each week.

However, while alcohol consumption has declined for both men and women since 2015, some age groups have seen increased drinking rates.

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Women aged 15 to 24 had the largest increase in alcohol consumption in the past 12 months, the survey found, increasing by 16 points since 2015, from 64% to 80%.

A further 25% of those taking part in the Healthy Ireland 2025 survey said they drink non-alcoholic wine, beer or spirits. Younger adults are more likely to say they drink non-alcoholic drinks, whereas the opposite was found for older adults.

People who drank alcohol in the past 12 months (30%) are more likely to say they also drink non-alcoholic drinks compared with those who haven’t drank in the past 12 months (12%).

More than half (56%) of those who drink non-alcoholic drinks said they do so when they need to drive home. A further 29% said they drink them to reduce alcohol consumption for health reasons and 16% when they need to get up early and don’t want a hangover.

The Healthy Ireland Survey is an annual survey, conducted with a representative sample of the population aged 15 and older living in Ireland. 

Its findings are used to underpin policy development. For the 2025 survey, a representative sample of 7,556 people, were interviewed between October and April.

It found: 

• 82% report being in “good” or “very good” health;
• 30% of the population are ex-smokers, and during their last attempt to quit, 67% of smokers did so without using any quitting aids;
• E-cigarette usage is highest among younger people, with 18% of those aged 15-24 claiming to use one daily (11%) or occasionally (7%);
• 50% of all e-cigarette users are ex-smokers, while 33% of e-cigarette users are current smokers.

For the first time, the survey also included questions on women’s experience of menopause.

Almost half of women who reported being in perimenopause or one to five years after the cessation of periods, reported a somewhat negative or very negative experience. The majority of women going through or having gone through menopause said they experienced symptoms, with 13% describing their symptoms as severe and impacting significantly on their life.

The minister of state for public health Jennifer Murnane O’Connor said the Healthy Ireland survey is a vital tool to help identify patterns and trends in public health and wellbeing.

"We have made good progress in tackling smoking rates over the last 10 years through progressive legislation, and this can be seen in recent surveys. 

However, these figures also serve as a warning, too many young people are still experimenting with vaping, and too many people are still smoking. 

The Public Health (Alcohol) Act is a landmark piece of legislation, aimed at reducing alcohol consumption across the population as it is now recognised that there are no safe levels of consumption, she added.

“We must stay focused on prevention, protection and support so that healthier choices become the easier choices for everyone.

“Reducing smoking, preventing young people from vaping and protecting the health of our next generation are my key priorities."