Booze-free Britain: Quarter of adults now report no alcohol in past year

The Government-backed Health Survey for England reports 24% of adults had not drunk alcohol in the last 12 months, up from 19% in 2022; low- and no-alcohol drinks are increasingly common.

New figures from the Government-backed Health Survey for England show a rise in the share of adults who do not drink alcohol. In 2024, 24% of adults reported not having any alcoholic drink in the previous 12 months, up from 19% in 2022. This marks a change after years when the proportion of non-drinkers largely stayed between 17% and 20% since 2011. The survey coincides with growing interest in low- and no-alcohol products and 'sober curious' lifestyles. Key findings: - 24% of adults in England had not drunk alcohol in the past 12 months, up from 19% in 2022. - An estimated 11.2 million adults were non-drinkers in the last year according to the survey. - Among drinkers, 51% of men and 60% of women drank at lower-risk levels (14 units a week or less). - 27% of men and 15% of women were classified as drinking at increasing or higher-risk levels; higher-risk is reported as more than 50 units weekly for men and more than 35 units for women. - As of May last year, 53% of UK adults had consumed low- or no-alcohol beer, wine, cider, spirits or cocktails in the previous 12 months, and market research firm Mintel estimated the low/no-alcohol market at £413 million. - Young adults (16–24) and people in more deprived areas were among groups more likely to report not drinking, while adults aged 65–74 showed higher rates of risky drinking (around 29%). Summary: The survey describes a notable shift in drinking patterns across England, with rising abstinence particularly among younger people and an increase in men reporting no alcohol use. At the same time, a minority of adults continue to drink at levels linked to higher health risks, especially older age groups. How these trends will evolve and what they mean for long-term health patterns is undetermined at this time.