Noah Vinter
Alcohol consumption is a global issue with varying patterns and trends. In 2021, the average per capita consumption of ethanol from all alcoholic beverages in the United States was 2.51 gallons, a notable increase from previous years. This equates to approximately 535 standard drinks in a year for those aged 14 or older. Globally, the average adult consumed about 1.7 gallons of pure alcohol per year as of 2017, indicating a rise in alcohol consumption, especially in low- and middle-income countries. While beer has dominated the US alcohol market, spirits overtook it in 2022. Historical data shows fluctuations, with per capita drinking quantities averaging around 8 to 9 liters per year, and the highest per capita consumption peaking in the early 1980s at 3.28 gallons.
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What You'll Learn
Per capita alcohol consumption in the US in 2021
Alcohol consumption per capita in the US has been on an overall upward trajectory since 1995, with a minor dip between 2019 and 2020. The per capita consumption of ethanol from all alcoholic beverages in 2021 was 2.51 gallons, representing a 2.9% increase from 2020 and a 5.5% increase from 2019. This was the largest two-year increase since 1969. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that the average American aged 21 or older consumed 2.83 gallons of pure alcohol in 2021, which is approximately 603 "standard drinks".
The NIAAA defines a "standard drink" as containing 0.6 fluid ounces of ethanol, which means that the 2021 national annual per capita consumption level of 2.51 gallons equates to a person aged 14 or older consuming approximately 535.5 standard drinks in a year. This data is based on beverage sales and/or tax receipts reports from 33 states, as well as spirits and wine sales data for alcoholic beverage control states from the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association.
The per capita consumption rate is influenced by the drinking patterns of a minority of the population. According to one source, a third of the adult population consumes 95% of all the alcohol drunk, with 5% of the population accounting for half of the overall total. Therefore, changes in consumption among a small fraction of the population can significantly impact per capita consumption.
While beer has historically accounted for the largest share of the alcohol market in the US, it was overtaken by spirits for the first time in 2022. In 2021, 17.4% of all alcohol consumed by Americans came from wine, up from 12% in 1971. The share from beer fell from 44.6% to 42.3%, while the share from spirits decreased from 43.5% to 40.3%.
On a state level, per capita alcohol consumption appears to be highest in New Hampshire and Delaware and lowest in Utah. However, state-level consumption estimates can be influenced by factors such as sales to people from neighbouring states, particularly when there are significant differences in alcohol tax rates, and alcohol consumption by tourists.
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Average alcohol consumption by region in the US
Alcohol consumption in the US has been on an overall upward trajectory in recent years. In 2021, the average American aged 21 or older consumed 2.83 gallons of pure alcohol, which is the equivalent of about 603 standard drinks. This figure represents a 2.9% increase from 2020 and a 5.5% increase from 2019, marking the largest two-year increase since 1969.
When examining regional variations, we can look at four broad regions defined by the U.S. Census Bureau: the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West. In 2021, the West region had the highest per capita consumption, with an annual average of 2.56 gallons. New Hampshire, a small state in the Northeast, has the highest per-capita consumption among all states, with approximately 4.83 to 59.5 gallons consumed per person per year. This high consumption in New Hampshire is partly attributed to people from neighboring states taking advantage of lower prices due to the lack of sales tax in New Hampshire.
The South, despite consuming the most alcohol by volume (245.1 million gallons in 2020), has the lowest per capita consumption at 2.34 gallons per year. The Midwest and Northeast have similar per capita consumption rates, with the Midwest consuming 2.49 gallons per year and the Northeast consuming 2.48 gallons per year.
It's worth noting that state-level consumption estimates can be influenced by factors such as sales to out-of-state residents and alcohol consumption by tourists. For instance, states like Nevada, Florida, and Washington, D.C., may have higher visitor consumption, impacting their overall numbers.
In conclusion, while the West region leads in per capita alcohol consumption, with New Hampshire being the top-consuming state, the South consumes the most alcohol by volume but has the lowest per-capita consumption. These regional variations in alcohol consumption within the US provide insights into drinking patterns and preferences across the country.
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Alcohol consumption by beverage type
Alcohol consumption varies widely globally. While alcohol consumption is common in most countries, some regions, such as North Africa and the Middle East, have notably lower consumption rates. In many countries in these regions, alcohol consumption is close to zero, and in some cases, below 5%.
In 2021, the per capita consumption of ethanol from all alcoholic beverages in the United States was 2.51 gallons, a 2.9% increase from 2020 and a 5.5% increase from 2019. This was the largest two-year increase since 1969. Beer has been the largest contributor to the alcohol market in the United States over the last decade, but spirits overtook beer for the first time in 2022.
The predominant types of commercially produced alcoholic beverages worldwide are beer, wine, and spirits. Beer is typically made from malted barley, water, hops, and yeast, with wheat sometimes being used. Wine is primarily produced from grapes, though it can also be made from other fruits and berries. Spirits are often produced from cereals, beets, molasses, grapes or other fruits, cane sugar, or potatoes. These main beverage types may be combined to create fortified alcoholic beverages, such as fortified wine, where spirits are added to wine.
The alcohol content of beverages varies by type and country. Beer typically has an alcohol content of 4-5% by volume, wine is around 12%, and spirits are about 40%. However, these percentages can vary, with beer ranging from 2.3% to over 10%, wine from 8% to 15%, and spirits from 20% to well over 40%.
The health risks associated with alcohol consumption are well-documented. Alcohol use has been linked to an increased risk of various cancers, including cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, oesophagus, and liver cirrhosis. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to cardiovascular disease and other negative health outcomes.
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Alcohol consumption trends over time
Historical Perspective
Long-term data on alcohol consumption, such as records from the United States since 1850, show relatively constant per capita drinking quantities, averaging around 8 to 9 liters per year. However, there have been fluctuations, including during the National Alcohol Prohibition from 1920 to 1933, which aimed to ban alcohol production, importation, transportation, and sales. Despite this ban, alcohol consumption continued through illicit channels, particularly in the sale of spirits.
Regional Variations
Alcohol consumption patterns vary widely across the globe. North Africa and the Middle East have notably lower consumption rates, with a majority of adults in many countries in these regions having never consumed alcohol. In contrast, historical data from France in the 1920s show an average consumption of 22.1 liters of pure alcohol per person per year, which would be even higher when considering the inclusion of children in the data.
Gender Differences
Regardless of the region, men consistently exhibit higher alcohol consumption rates than women. This gender disparity is evident across various cultures and societies.
Trends in Heavy Drinking and Abstinence
Heavy drinking, often termed "binge drinking," is not necessarily prevalent in regions with high overall alcohol consumption. Global trends in alcohol abstinence often mirror drinking prevalence data. While North Africa and the Middle East have high abstinence rates, regions like the UK and USA experience higher rates of heavy and binge drinking.
Changing Perceptions and Health Concerns
Changing perceptions, especially among young adults, contribute to evolving alcohol consumption trends. For example, Americans, particularly the younger generation, increasingly view drinking alcohol as unhealthy, and this perception is reflected in their drinking habits.
Secular Trends
Secular trends in alcohol consumption over 50 years (1948-2003) among participants in the Framingham Study revealed a decrease in average alcohol intake across succeeding birth cohorts. Additionally, the percentage of the population exhibiting moderate alcohol intake increased, while the percentage reporting heavy drinking decreased over time.
Recent Increases in Consumption
Despite long-term fluctuations, recent years have shown notable increases in alcohol consumption. For instance, per capita ethanol consumption from all alcoholic beverages in the United States increased by 2.9% from 2020 to 2021, representing a 5.5% increase since 2019. This was the largest two-year increase since 1969.
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Global variation in alcohol consumption
Alcohol consumption per capita varies widely across the globe. There are significant geographical differences, with consumption in North Africa and the Middle East being notably low, with typically 5 to 10% of adults drinking in the previous year, and some countries reporting consumption levels close to zero. In contrast, alcohol intake across Europe is relatively higher, with more than two-thirds of adults drinking alcohol in most countries.
France in the 1920s is a notable example of high alcohol consumption, with an average of 22.1 liters of pure alcohol per person per year, equivalent to 184 one-liter wine bottles per person annually. This included children, so the average per adult was even higher. In recent years, France has seen an increase in beer consumption, which now accounts for around one-fifth of alcohol consumption. Sweden, on the other hand, has increased its share of wine consumption, resulting in a decrease in spirit consumption.
The United States has also seen an increase in per capita alcohol consumption in recent years. In 2021, the per capita consumption of ethanol from all alcoholic beverages was 2.51 gallons, a 2.9% increase from 2020 and a 5.5% increase from 2019. This equates to an average of 535.5 standard drinks per person aged 14 or older for the year. Beer has traditionally accounted for the largest share of the alcohol market in the US, but spirits overtook it for the first time in 2022.
Alcohol consumption is linked to various negative outcomes, including health risks, crime, road incidents, and alcohol dependence. It is a leading risk factor for global disease burden and has substantial health losses. The risk of all-cause mortality and cancers specifically rises with increasing consumption levels, and the level of consumption that minimizes health loss is zero. Globally, alcohol use was the seventh-leading risk factor for deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2016, and it was the leading risk factor for the population aged 15-49 years in the same year.
There are also gender differences in alcohol consumption and related mortality and morbidity. In 2019, 52% of men were current drinkers, compared to only 35% of women in the previous 12 months. The per capita consumption for men was 8.2 liters, while it was 2.2 liters for women. Alcohol-related deaths accounted for 6.7% of all deaths among men and 2.4% among women.
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Frequently asked questions
2.51 gallons of ethanol per capita, or 2.83 gallons of pure alcohol per person aged 21 or older.
7.9 billion gallons.
According to the NIAAA, a standard drink in the US contains 0.6 fluid ounces of ethanol.
New Hampshire is the state with the highest alcohol consumption per capita, with approximately 4.83 gallons consumed per year.
