Many of us enjoy an alcoholic beverage from time to time and it is part of many social events, celebrations and mealtimes. So, what are the latest drinking trends in the UK to date?
The alcohol and drinks industry has seen huge diversification over the past decade with an ever increasing number of boutique and artisan brands now on the market. However, according to recent statistics, we are as nation consuming less alcohol, with figures showing that consumption has fallen steadily over the past couple of decades, after reaching its peak in the mid-2000s.
So what are the reasons for this shift in drinking patters?
- Cost of living – the cost-of-living crisis, means that many simply don’t have the disposable income to spend on alcohol, so are choosing to drink fewer alcoholic drinks when they go out, or even switch to soft drinks altogether.
- Awareness of health – there has been a much greater awareness for both physical and mental health, especially amongst the younger generation which has contributed to the shift in falling alcohol consumption. There is now much more available research and open discussion about alcohol and its associated risk and therefore knowledge amongst the younger generation is increasingly multi-faceted. For example, concern about losing control and developing a drinking addiction is markedly heightened among young people.
- Using different ways to unwind and de-stress – the way younger people now choose to relax and unwind has changed – the constant pressure to always be active on social media and technology content means that many now turn to meditation/mindfulness or taking a pause from social media to unwind.
- Increase in low/no alcoholic drinks on the market – the rise in popularity of ‘mocktails’ and alternative soft drinks now available, means that many also don’t feel like they are missing out or feel the pressure to have to choose an alcoholic beverage.
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References:
Drinking trends in the UK (no date) Alcohol Change UK. Available at: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/fact-sheets/drinking-trends-in-the-uk#:~:text=Since%20reaching%20a%20peak%20in,behaviours%20are%20fixed%20or%20unchanging. (Accessed: 10 July 2024).
Carnegie, M. (2022) Why Gen Zers are growing up sober curious, BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220920-why-gen-zers-are-growing-up-sober-curious (Accessed: 10 July 2024).
