Do men or women in Australia drink more alcohol?
Australian men typically drink more alcohol than women. Men are significantly more likely than women to consume three or more standard drinks on a day they drink alcohol, while women are more likely than men to consume two or less drinks.
Among Australian men who drink alcohol, 44% usually have 2 or less standard drinks on a day they drink alcohol; 27% have 3-4 standard drinks; 13% have 5-6 standard drinks; 11% have 7-10 standard drinks; 2% have 11-12 standard drinks; and 3% have 13 or more standard drinks.
Among Australian women who drink alcohol, 61% usually have 2 or less standard drinks on a day they drink alcohol; 23% have 3-4 standard drinks; 8% have 5-6 standard drinks; 6% have 7-10 standard drinks; 0.8% have 11-12 standard drinks; and 1% have 13 or more standard drinks.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding. Significance is established as p<0.05. Australians who identify as non-binary or a different gender identity were not able to be included in the current analyses due to small numbers.
Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.
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