Do younger or older Australians drink alcohol more often?
Older Australians typically consume alcohol more frequently than younger Australians: those in older age groups are significantly more likely to drink daily or almost daily than those in younger age groups.
Among Australians aged 14-17 years, 0% drink every day; 0% drink 5-6 days per week; 0% drink 3-4 days per week; 3%* drink 1-2 days per week; 3% drink 2-3 days per month; 24% drink 1 day per month or less; and 70% abstain from alcohol.
Among Australian aged 18-24 years, 0.8%* drink every day; 2% drink 5-6 days per week; 5% drink 3-4 days per week; 22% drink 1-2 days per week; 20% drink 2-3 days per month; 30% drink 1 day per month or less; and 20% abstain from alcohol.
Among Australians aged 25-29 years, 2% drink every day; 2% drink 5-6 days per week; 8% drink 3-4 days per week; 22% drink 1-2 days per week; 19% drink 2-3 days per month; 28% drink 1 day per month or less; and 19% abstain from alcohol.
Among Australian aged 30-39 years, 2% drink every day; 5% drink 5-6 days per week; 11% drink 3-4 days per week; 20% drink 1-2 days per week; 15% drink 2-3 days per month; 26% drink 1 day per month or less; and 21% abstain from alcohol.
Among Australians aged 40-49 years, 5% drink every day; 7% drink 5-6 days per week; 15% drink 3-4 days per week; 21% drink 1-2 days per week; 12% drink 2-3 days per month; 23% drink 1 day per month or less; and 18% abstain from alcohol.
Among Australian aged 50-59 years, 6% drink every day; 8% drink 5-6 days per week; 17% drink 3-4 days per week; 20% drink 1-2 days per week; 11% drink 2-3 days per month; 20% drink 1 day per month or less; and 17% abstain from alcohol.
Among Australians aged 60-69 years, 8% drink every day; 11% drink 5-6 days per week; 15% drink 3-4 days per week; 17% drink 1-2 days per week; 10% drink 2-3 days per month; 20% drink 1 day per month or less; and 18% abstain from alcohol.
Among Australian aged 70+ years, 12% drink every day; 10% drink 5-6 days per week; 11% drink 3-4 days per week; 13% drink 1-2 days per week; 8% drink 2-3 days per month; 18% drink 1 day per month or less; and 28% abstain from alcohol.
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. Significance is established as p<0.05.
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