Alcohol consumption in the UK has varied considerably over the past century
- since 1950, consumption rose from 3.9 litres per capita per year to a peak of 9.4 in 2004 while it subsequently fell to 8.9 litres in 2006
- comparison of per capita consumption among adults aged 15 and over shows the UK to be among the heaviest alcohol consuming countries in Europe
The proportion of adults who consume alcohol has been estimated to be 90% in England, and 75% in Northern Ireland.
According to surveys carried out in the UK:
- only 9% of the white British population are non-drinkers, but the proportion is higher among every ethnic minority group, rising to 90% or more among those of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin
- individuals of mixed origin are less likely to be non-drinkers than those in other ethnic minority groups. 22% of those of mixed white and black African origin were found to be non-drinkers compared to 48% of those of black African origin
- men were more likely than women to have had an alcoholic drink in the previous week
- individuals in the 16 to 24 and 65 and over age groups were less likely than those in the middle age range to report drinking alcohol during the previous week
- individuals in the 16 to 24 and 65 and over age groups were less likely than those in the middle age range to report drinking alcohol during the previous week
- individuals from White British (18%) and 'Other White' (17%) ethnic groups were most likely to drink on five or more days of the week, while only 1% of individuals of Pakistani or Bangladeshi origin reported doing so
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