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 significantly more likely to drink pre-mixed spirits, the popularity of which tends to decrease with age. Those aged 30 years and older are significantly more likely to drink bottled wine, the popularity of which tends to increase with age.
Among Australians aged 14-17 years, 6%* mainly drink bottled wine; 8% regular strength beer; 17% bottled spirits/liqueur; 4*% mid strength beer; 53% pre-mixed sprits; 4*% low strength beer; 5% cider.
Among Australians aged 18-24 years, 8% mainly drink bottled wine; 20% regular strength beer; 21% bottled spirits/liqueur; 4% mid strength beer; 36% pre-mixed sprits; 2%* low strength beer; 0.6%* cask wine; 5% cider.
Among Australians aged 25-29 years, 21% mainly drink bottled wine; 21% regular strength beer; 15% bottled spirits/liqueur; 10% mid strength beer; 18% pre-mixed sprits; 2%* low strength beer; 8% cider.
Among Australians aged 30-39 years, 30% mainly drink bottled wine; 23% regular strength beer; 16% bottled spirits/liqueur; 9% mid strength beer; 11% pre-mixed sprits; 2% low strength beer; 0.3%* cask wine; 5% cider.
Among Australians aged 40-49 years, 34% mainly drink bottled wine; 21% regular strength beer; 17% bottled spirits/liqueur; 10% mid strength beer; 9% pre-mixed sprits; 2% low strength beer; 0.8% cask wine; 3% cider; 0.7%* fortified wine; 0.4%* home-brewed beer.
Among Australians aged 50-59 years, 38% mainly drink bottled wine; 19% regular strength beer; 16% bottled spirits/liqueur; 9% mid strength beer; 7% pre-mixed sprits; 2% low strength beer; 1% cask wine; 3% cider; 1% fortified wine; 0.3%* home-brewed beer.
Among Australians aged 60-69 years, 45% mainly drink bottled wine; 17% regular strength beer; 14% bottled spirits/liqueur; 9% mid strength beer; 5% pre-mixed sprits; 4% low strength beer; 3% cask wine; 1% cider; 0.7%* fortified wine; 0.4%* home-brewed beer.
Among Australians aged 70+ years, 48% mainly drink bottled wine; 12% regular strength beer; 11% bottled spirits/liqueur; 10% mid strength beer; 2% pre-mixed sprits; 6% low strength beer; 6% cask wine; 0.6% cider; 2% fortified wine; 0.2%* home-brewed beer.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding. Some values have not been published because of small numbers, confidentiality, or other concerns about the quality of data. Significance is established as p<0.05.