Do younger or older Australians drink alcohol more often?
Older Australians typically drink alcohol more frequently than younger Australians: those in older age groups are more likely to drink daily or almost daily than those in younger age groups.
Among Australians aged 14-17 years, 0.2%** drink every day; 0.1%** drink 5-6 days per week; 0.3%** drink 3-4 days per week; 2%* drink 1-2 days per week; 6% drink 2-3 days per month; 22% drink 1 day per month or less; and 69% abstain from alcohol.
Among Australian aged 18-24 years, 1%* drink every day; 2% drink 5-6 days per week; 5% drink 3-4 days per week; 20% drink 1-2 days per week; 23% drink 2-3 days per month; 30% drink 1 day per month or less; and 19% abstain from alcohol.
Among Australians aged 25-29 years, 1%* drink every day; 3% drink 5-6 days per week; 8% drink 3-4 days per week; 24% drink 1-2 days per week; 16% drink 2-3 days per month; 27% drink 1 day per month or less; and 21% abstain from alcohol.
Among Australian aged 30-39 years, 2% drink every day; 5% drink 5-6 days per week; 12% drink 3-4 days per week; 18% drink 1-2 days per week; 14% drink 2-3 days per month; 28% drink 1 day per month or less; and 21% abstain from alcohol.
Among Australians aged 40-49 years, 5% drink every day; 9% drink 5-6 days per week; 13% drink 3-4 days per week; 19% drink 1-2 days per week; 13% drink 2-3 days per month; 24% drink 1 day per month or less; and 17% abstain from alcohol.
Among Australian aged 50-59 years, 7% drink every day; 9% drink 5-6 days per week; 15% drink 3-4 days per week; 19% drink 1-2 days per week; 13% drink 2-3 days per month; 21% drink 1 day per month or less; and 16% abstain from alcohol.
Among Australians aged 60-69 years, 10% drink every day; 11% drink 5-6 days per week; 14% drink 3-4 days per week; 15% drink 1-2 days per week; 10% drink 2-3 days per month; 19% drink 1 day per month or less; and 21% abstain from alcohol.
Among Australian aged 70+ years, 12% drink every day; 11% drink 5-6 days per week; 10% drink 3-4 days per week; 12% drink 1-2 days per week; 8% drink 2-3 days per month; 17% drink 1 day per month or less; and 30% abstain from alcohol.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use.
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.