Australia: Research shows decline in proportion of Australians consuming alcohol

In an average four week period, 67.9% of the Australian population 18 and over consume at least one type of alcoholic drink. This represents a gradual decline over the last five years from 70.1% recorded in 2013. All major categories of alcoholic drinks showed declines in incidence over this period, apart from cider which increased, Roy Morgan Research reported on February 6.

These are some of the latest findings from Roy Morgan’s ‘Alcohol Consumption Currency Report September 2018’ which is based on in-depth interviews conducted face-to-face with over 50,000 consumers per annum in their homes, including detailed questioning of over 15,000 regarding their alcoholic drinking habits.

Wine is consumed by 43.3% of the 18+ Australian population over an average four week period, ahead of beer with 38.4% and spirits on 26.7%. Cider is now consumed by 12.3% which has increased from 10.3% five years ago, making it the only type to increase. The incidence of cider drinkers is now ahead of RTD (11.4%), Liqueurs (7.2%) and Fortified Wine (5.2%).

Over the last five years the biggest decline was for wine (down 1.3% points), followed by RTD (down 0.9% points) and Liqueurs (down 0.8% points). Beer only showed a decline of 0.5% points and as a result closed the gap marginally to wine.

Over a four week period 73.3% of men consume alcoholic drinks, well ahead of women with 62.7%. The drink preferences are very different between the sexes, particularly when it comes to beer, which is drunk by 57.7% of men and only 19.8% of women. The preferred drink for women is wine with 47.9%, well ahead of men on 38.6%. The only other category were women have a stronger preference than men is cider with 12.9%, higher than the 11.5% for men.

Although wine is the most popular alcoholic drink in terms of the number of drinkers, beer is clearly the top in terms of volume (based on glasses). Beer accounts for 45.2% of the volume of alcoholic drinks consumed, well ahead of wine (28.3%) and spirits (13.4%).

Since 2013 gains in share of volume were seen for wine (up 2.3% points), cider (up 1.0% points) and spirits (up 0.4% points). Losses in share were greatest for beer (down 2.9% points) and RTDs (down 1.0% points).

03 February, 2019