Americans are consuming fewer drinks, according to new data, although the decrease is slight

LONDON, Dec 4 While many Americans report drinking less alcohol than in previous years, recent research indicates that the weekly consumption of alcohol among U.S. adults has remained relatively steady for decades.

Exclusive data from drinks market research company IWSR reveals that the average U.S. adult consumes between 10 and 12 alcoholic drinks per week, a range that has persisted since 1975. Currently, consumption sits at its lowest level since 1995, reflecting a decrease of roughly 1.1 drinks per person per week compared with a peak of 11.5 drinks in 2021.

Recent surveys suggesting a significant decline in drinking, alongside falling alcohol sales and reduced consumption among younger adults, have fueled debate over whether the U.S. is experiencing a long-term shift away from alcohol. Health-conscious lifestyles are often cited as a possible reason. However, industry experts argue that economic factors, rather than a cultural move against drinking, are largely responsible for the drop in sales.

Marten Lodewijks, president of IWSR, noted that while changes in drinking habits cannot be entirely ruled out, the data does not support the idea of a historic drop in alcohol consumption. He added that it may take years to determine whether the current decline is temporary due to economic conditions or indicative of a longer-term trend in behavior.

IWSR points out that economic pressures such as high interest rates, inflation, and political uncertainty are likely influencing consumer spending more than changing attitudes toward alcohol. The company also highlighted that declines in overall alcohol sales appear less dramatic when expressed as weekly drinks per person, accounting for shifts from high-volume beverages like beer to lower-volume spirits.

Interestingly, IWSR survey data indicates that Gen Z adults have not avoided drinking more than older generations. In fact, the number of Gen Z respondents reporting recent alcohol consumption increased between 2023 and 2025, challenging assumptions that the younger generation is leading a decline in drinking.

Other surveys focusing on younger demographics have noted declines, but analysts, including Laurence Whyatt of Barclays, suggest that economic pressures, rather than changing cultural attitudes, play a key role in determining how much young adults consume.

Analysis: U.S. Alcohol Consumption Trends and Economic Influences

The data released by IWSR sheds light on the steady nature of alcohol consumption in the United States over the past several decades. Despite some reports suggesting a cultural shift away from drinking, the figures indicate that the average U.S. adult still consumes between 10 and 12 alcoholic drinks per week, a number that has remained largely unchanged since 1975. This suggests that while lifestyle changes, particularly health-conscious behaviors, are often cited as reasons for reduced alcohol consumption, they may not be the central factor behind the current trends.

Instead, economic pressures appear to be the driving force behind changes in alcohol consumption patterns. High inflation, interest rates, and general political instability are likely influencing consumer spending habits. It's important to note that although alcohol sales have decreased, these reductions are not as dramatic when considered on a per-person weekly basis. Consumers are simply shifting their preferences, moving away from high-volume options like beer to lower-volume spirits. This shift indicates a more complex landscape, with economic factors at play rather than a wholesale change in societal attitudes towards drinking.

Furthermore, the perception that Gen Z is leading the charge in reduced alcohol consumption does not hold up against the latest IWSR data. Contrary to earlier assumptions, Gen Z adults have shown an increase in alcohol consumption from 2023 to 2025, suggesting that this younger generation may not be as abstinent as often believed. Economic pressures, particularly those felt by younger consumers, seem to have a greater impact on their drinking habits than any significant cultural shift. The overall takeaway is that the evolution of alcohol consumption in the U.S. remains tied more to economic factors than to changes in cultural behavior.

Sources:

• Are Americans drinking less? New data says yes, but not by much