U.S. Alcohol Consumption Hits Record Low of 54%, Marking Historic Decline

Alcohol consumption among adults in the United States has reached a record low of 54%, according to a recent Gallup poll. This figure represents the lowest percentage recorded in Gallup's nearly 90 years of tracking Americans' drinking habits, falling below the previous low of 55% set in 1958. The decline continues a trend from 62% in 2023 and 58% in 2024.

A significant aspect of this downturn is a pronounced partisan divide in reported drinking habits. "One of the most noticeable drops is with Republicans, with reported drinking having dropped a whopping 19 points since 2023," stated Collin Rugg, highlighting a substantial shift within the party. In contrast, Democrats have seen a more modest decrease, with their reported drinking falling only 3 points since 2023.

The broader decline is largely attributed to a growing public perception that alcohol, even in moderation, is detrimental to health. For the first time, a majority of Americans, 53%, now believe that "one or two drinks a day" is bad for their health, a significant increase from 25% holding this view between 2001 and 2011. This shift aligns with recent research and warnings from health authorities, including the World Health Organization's stance that "there is no safe amount that does not affect health."

While young adults have historically been quicker to adopt the view that drinking is harmful, this belief is now gaining traction across all age groups. Gallup noted, "Young adults were initially quicker than older Americans to embrace the idea that drinking is detrimental... But the belief that drinking is detrimental is now gaining traction with older adults." This evolving perspective has led to fewer U.S. drinkers consuming alcohol regularly, with a record-low 24% having had a drink in the past 24 hours, and 40% reporting more than a week since their last alcoholic beverage.

Beyond health concerns, other factors such as inflation and rising interest rates may also be influencing consumer spending on alcohol. Despite the overall decline, the Distilled Spirits Council maintains that "for millions of American adults, responsible alcohol consumption is an enjoyable way of enhancing meals and bringing people together – and, for most adults, moderate drinking can be a part of a balanced lifestyle." The average weekly alcohol intake among U.S. drinkers has also fallen to 2.8 drinks, the lowest since 1996.