Are male or female Australian school students aged 12-17 years more likely to drink alcohol?
Among Australian school students aged 12-17 years, girls and boys are similarly likely to have drunk alcohol in their lifetime, the past year, past month and past week.
In 2022-23, 38% of male and 33% of female Australian school students aged 12-17 years had never consumed alcohol; 41% of males and 47% of females had consumed alcohol in the past year; 20% of males and 25% of females had consumed alcohol in the past month; and 10% of males and 12% of females had consumed alcohol in the past week.
Source: Scully, M, Koh, I, Bain, E, Wakefield, M, & Durkin, S (2023). ASSAD 2022-23: Australian secondary school students' use of alcohol and other substances. Cancer Council Victoria, Australia.
Please note: This FAQ uses data from the Australian Secondary Students’ Alcohol and Drug Survey, in which differences were considered significant at p<.01. Percentages do not tally to 100% as drinking categories (past week, past month, & past year) overlap.