Among those not in the labour force, are younger or older Australians more likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury?
Among those not in the labour force, Australians aged 18-24 years are the age group most likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury.
78% of Australians aged 14-17 years who are not in the labour force abstain from alcohol, 15% drink alcohol in ways that reduced their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury, and 7% drink alcohol in ways that increased their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.
27% of Australians aged 18-24 years who are not in the labour force abstain from alcohol, 37% drink alcohol in ways that reduced their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury, and 36% drink alcohol in ways that increased their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.
33% of Australians aged 25-29 years who are not in the labour force abstain from alcohol, 38% drink alcohol in ways that reduced their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury, and 29% drink alcohol in ways that increased their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.
31% of Australians aged 30-39 years who are not in the labour force abstain from alcohol, 51% drink alcohol in ways that reduced their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury, and 17% drink alcohol in ways that increased their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.
24% of Australians aged 40-49 years who are not in the labour force abstain from alcohol, 50% drink alcohol in ways that reduced their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury, and 26% drink alcohol in ways that increased their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.
25% of Australians aged 50-59 years who are not in the labour force abstain from alcohol, 47% drink alcohol in ways that reduced their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury, and 28% drink alcohol in ways that increased their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.
22% of Australians aged 60-69 years who are not in the labour force abstain from alcohol, 49% drink alcohol in ways that reduced their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury, and 29% drink alcohol in ways that increased their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.
28% of Australians aged 70+ years who are not in the labour force abstain from alcohol, 47% drink alcohol in ways that reduced their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury, and 25% drink alcohol in ways that increased their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.
Increased risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is increased if they drink more than 10 standard drinks a week and more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.
Not in the Labour Force: Engaged in home duties, volunteer/charity work, student, retiree/pensioner, other.
Reduced risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is reduced if they drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.
Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.