Do younger and older Australians drink different types of alcohol beverages?

Younger and older Australians drink different types of alcohol beverages. Those aged 14-17 years are most likely to drink pre-mixed spirits, the popularity of which tends to decrease with age. Those aged 30 years and older are most likely to drink bottled wine, the popularity of which tends to increase with age.

Among Australians aged 14-17 years, 4%* mainly drink bottled wine; 13% regular strength beer; 17% bottled spirits/liqueur; 5%* mid strength beer; 22% canned pre-mixed sprits; 22% bottled pre-mixed spirits; 6%* low strength beer; 0.6%** cask wine; 8%* cider; 0% fortified wine; 0% home-brewed beer; and 3%** drink other beverages.

Among Australians aged 18-24 years, 13% mainly drink bottled wine; 20% regular strength beer; 20% bottled spirits/liqueur; 6% mid strength beer; 13% canned pre-mixed sprits; 14% bottled pre-mixed spirits; 2% low strength beer; 0.5%* cask wine; 8% cider; 0.1%** fortified wine; 0.4%** home-brewed beer; and 3% drink other beverages.

Among Australians aged 25-29 years, 25% mainly drink bottled wine; 25% regular strength beer; 17% bottled spirits/liqueur; 7% mid strength beer; 7% canned pre-mixed sprits; 4% bottled pre-mixed spirits; 2%* low strength beer; 0.7%** cask wine; 8% cider; 0.8%* fortified wine; 0.2%** home-brewed beer; and 2% drink other beverages.

Among Australians aged 30-39 years, 32% mainly drink bottled wine; 23% regular strength beer; 15% bottled spirits/liqueur; 9% mid strength beer; 5% canned pre-mixed sprits; 4% bottled pre-mixed spirits; 3% low strength beer; 1%* cask wine; 5% cider; 0.5%* fortified wine; 0.3%** home-brewed beer; and 2% drink other beverages.

Among Australians aged 40-49 years, 35% mainly drink bottled wine; 20% regular strength beer; 17% bottled spirits/liqueur; 8% mid strength beer; 7% canned pre-mixed sprits; 3% bottled pre-mixed spirits; 2% low strength beer; 1% cask wine; 4% cider; 0.6%* fortified wine; 0.3%* home-brewed beer; and 2% drink other beverages.

Among Australians aged 50-59 years, 40% mainly drink bottled wine; 19% regular strength beer; 14% bottled spirits/liqueur; 9% mid strength beer; 5% canned pre-mixed sprits; 2% bottled pre-mixed spirits; 4% low strength beer; 2% cask wine; 2% cider; 1% fortified wine; 0.6%* home-brewed beer; and 2% drink other beverages.

Among Australians aged 60-69 years, 44% mainly drink bottled wine; 15% regular strength beer; 12% bottled spirits/liqueur; 10% mid strength beer; 3% canned pre-mixed sprits; 0.9% bottled pre-mixed spirits; 6% low strength beer; 4% cask wine; 2% cider; 1% fortified wine; 0.5%* home-brewed beer; and 2% drink other beverages.

Among Australians aged 70+ years, 45% mainly drink bottled wine; 8% regular strength beer; 12% bottled spirits/liqueur; 8% mid strength beer; 1% canned pre-mixed sprits; 0.7% bottled pre-mixed spirits; 9% low strength beer; 8% cask wine; 1% cider; 4% fortified wine; 0.8%* home-brewed beer; and 2% drink other beverages.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).

*Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.

**Estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use.

Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.