Statistics on Alcohol, England 2020

Proportion of adults (aged 16 and over) drinking at increased or higher risk of harm, by age and sex

The proportion of men and women usually drinking over 14 units in a week varied across age groups and was most common among men and women aged 55 to 64 (38% and 19% respectively). Proportions drinking at these levels then declined among both sexes from the age of 65. Across all age groups, men were more likely than women to drink at increasing and higher risk levels.

Estimated weekly alcohol consumption, by region and sex

The proportions of men and women who had not drunk alcohol varied across regions. Among both men and women, the highest proportions of non-drinkers were in London (28%) and the lowest proportions in the East of England (9%).

Proportion of adults drinking at increased or higher risk of harm, by Index of Multiple Deprivation and sex

The proportion of adults who were non-drinkers was highest in most deprived areas (29%) compared with 10% in the least deprived areas.

Adults in least deprived areas were more likely to drink over 14 units in a usual week (27%) than those in most deprived areas (18%). 36% of men in the least deprived areas drank at increasing and higher risk levels, compared with 27% of men in the most deprived areas. 17% of women in the least deprived areas drank more than 14 units compared with 10% of women in the most deprived areas.

The variation in weekly alcohol consumption by deprivation was accounted for by differences in the proportions of men and women drinking at increasing levels of risk (that is, over 14 units and up to 50 units for men and over 14 units and up to 35 units for women) rather than the smaller proportions in the higher risk category (over 50 units for men and over 35 units for women). The proportion of men and women drinking at higher levels of risk was similar by IMD quintile.

Number of days on which drank alcohol in the last week, by age and sex

65% of men and 50% of women had drunk alcohol in the last week. The proportion of men and women drinking in the last week increased with age and was highest among both men and women aged 65 to 74 (71% and 58% respectively). In the 75+ age group the prevalence of drinking in the last week decreased among both sexes.

Maximum amount drunk on any day in the last week, 2006-2018

The proportion of men who drank more than 8 units in a day dropped from 24% in 2006 to 19% in 2018, with a gradual decline since 2009.

The proportion of women drinking more than 6 units in a day decreased between 2006 and 2018 from 16% to 12%.

Lithuania reported the highest consumption (12.3 litres), followed by Austria, France, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Latvia, Hungary, Russia and Ireland, all with over 11 litres per person. Indonesia, Turkey, Israel, India, Costa Rica, Mexico and Colombia have comparatively low consumption levels (under 5 litres per person).

In 2018/19, 76 thousand were treated for problematic drinking alone which was similar to the previous year.

29 thousand were treated for non-opiate and alcohol problems.