Are men or women in Australia more likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury?
Australian men are significantly more likely than women to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury.
22% of Australian men abstain from alcohol, 40% drink at low-risk levels, and 39% drink alcohol at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.
24% of Australian women abstain from alcohol, 52% drink alcohol at low-risk levels, and 23% drink alcohol at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding. Significance is established as p<0.05. Australians who identify as non-binary or a different gender identity were not able to be included in the current analyses due to small numbers.
Increased risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Consumed more than 10 standard drinks per week, or drank more than 4 standard drinks on a single day at least once a month, on average (as per the Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol).
Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.