Arielle Cruz
Alcohol consumption in Ireland has been a significant public health concern, with the country consistently ranking among the top per capita consumers globally. According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health 2014, Irish individuals over 15 years old consume an average of 11.9 litres of pure alcohol annually. This trend has contributed to the rise of alcoholism in Ireland, with excessive drinking being a recognised problem resulting in adverse health impacts and the need for specialised treatment and support services. While there has been a recent decline in consumption, Ireland's drinking culture remains prominent, and the country continues to address the challenges associated with alcohol abuse.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ireland's rank by alcohol consumption per capita among OECD countries | 16th out of 38 countries |
| Ireland's rank by alcohol consumption per capita among OECD countries (HRB report, 2021) | 9th |
| Ireland's per capita alcohol consumption in 2023 | 9.9 litres of pure alcohol per person aged 15+ |
| Ireland's per capita alcohol consumption in 2022 | 10.2 litres |
| Ireland's per capita alcohol consumption in 2019 | 11.7 litres |
| Ireland's per capita alcohol consumption in 2014 | 11.9 litres |
| Ireland's per capita alcohol consumption in 2001 | 14.4 litres |
| Ireland's average alcohol consumption per adult in 2025 | 9.49 litres of pure alcohol |
| Ireland's average alcohol consumption per capita from 1989 to 1999 | 41% increase |
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What You'll Learn
Ireland's alcohol consumption in 2023
Alcohol consumption in Ireland has been a topic of interest for various organisations, including Drinkaware, the World Health Organisation, the OECD, and the Health Research Board. While Ireland has been associated with high levels of alcohol consumption in the past, recent reports indicate a downward trend in alcohol consumption in the country.
According to the OECD Report Health at a Glance 2023, Ireland's recorded alcohol consumption per capita average was 9.5 litres in 2021, ranking 16th out of 38 included countries. However, it is important to note that this figure is based on 2023 per capita use for Ireland, while the data for other countries may be from different years. When abstainers are excluded, alcohol consumption among drinkers aged 15 years and over in Ireland increases to 14.1 litres of pure alcohol per person in 2023, according to the Healthy Ireland Survey. This is considerably higher than the Department of Health's target of 9.1 litres.
In 2023, the per capita alcohol consumption in Ireland stood at 9.9 litres per adult, a 2.9% decrease from 2022. This corresponds to an average of every person aged 15 years and over drinking approximately 4 pints of beer, 26 pints of cider, 29 bottles of wine, and 9 bottles of vodka in a year. Beer was the most commonly purchased alcohol type in Ireland in 2023, representing 43.1% of the market share, followed by wine at 28.5%, and spirits at 22.8%.
While Ireland's alcohol consumption has decreased in recent years, there has been a marginal increase in the rate of binge drinking. The 2024 Healthy Ireland Survey revealed that 28% of drinkers binge drink on a typical drinking occasion, defined as consuming six or more standard drinks in one sitting. However, it is encouraging to note that the number of non-drinkers in Ireland has increased, with 30% of adults aged 15 years and over abstaining from alcohol in the previous 12 months, according to the 2023 Healthy Ireland Report.
Overall, Ireland's alcohol consumption levels are now closer to average European levels, ranking behind countries like the UK, France, Spain, and Germany. The country's alcohol consumption per capita has significantly decreased since its peak in 2001, with a 31% reduction, indicating a positive shift in drinking habits among the Irish population.
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Ireland's alcohol consumption in 2022
Despite Ireland's efforts to reduce alcohol consumption, it still faces challenges. Alcohol harm costs the country at least €3.7 billion annually, impacting various aspects of life, including families and work life. To address these concerns, Ireland introduced the Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) policy in January 2022, setting a minimum floor price for alcohol. Additionally, there have been calls for the full implementation of the Public Health Alcohol Act, specifically the Broadcast Watershed for alcohol advertising, to reduce children's exposure to alcohol advertising.
In terms of international comparisons, Ireland's alcohol consumption ranks behind countries like France, Spain, and Austria, according to OECD data for 2022. Ireland's consumption levels are now considered average by EU or OECD standards, indicating a downward trajectory in recent years. However, it is important to note that Ireland was one of the few countries that did not experience a decline in alcohol consumption during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study of 21 European countries.
While Ireland's alcohol consumption per capita decreased during the pandemic, it increased again in 2022, although it did not reach pre-pandemic levels. Overall, Ireland is making progress in its relationship with alcohol, but there is still work to be done to reduce alcohol-related harms and improve public health and economic outcomes.
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Ireland's alcohol consumption in 2019
Alcohol consumption in Ireland has been a significant public health concern. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Irish people over the age of 15 drink, on average, 10.8 litres of pure alcohol per year. This figure comprises 16.6 litres for males and 5.1 litres for females and includes both recorded and unrecorded per capita consumption. The unrecorded consumption is estimated through expert judgments and surveys and includes homebrew, moonshine, smuggled alcohol, etc. This data illustrates trends in alcohol consumption and provides a more precise understanding of alcohol use in the country.
Ireland has consistently ranked among the top countries with the highest alcohol consumption per capita. In 2019, it had the ninth-highest per capita alcohol consumption among all OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) member countries. This high level of consumption has led to concerning alcohol-related harm and mortality rates. On average, there have been three alcohol-related deaths every day since 2008, highlighting the severe consequences of drinking patterns in Ireland.
The Irish government has recognised the issue and set a target to reduce per capita alcohol consumption to 9.1 litres by 2020. However, the 2019 per capita consumption of 10.8 litres was 19% higher than this goal. To address the problem, the Public Health (Alcohol) Act was signed into law in 2018, which included important provisions such as a minimum unit price for alcohol and the structural separation of alcohol products from other groceries.
Despite these efforts, alcohol consumption patterns and high-volume drinking persist in Ireland, with males consuming more frequently and at higher-risk levels than females. According to the 2019–20 Irish National Drug and Alcohol Survey, 63.1% of males reported consuming alcohol weekly, compared to 50.3% of females. The survey also found that the average number of standard drinks consumed per typical drinking occasion was 5.0, ranging from 3.8 for females to 6.2 for males. These figures underscore the ongoing challenge of alcohol consumption and its associated risks in Ireland.
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Ireland's alcohol consumption in 2014
Alcohol consumption in Ireland has been a significant public health problem. In 2014, the average Irish person over the age of 15 consumed 11.9 litres of pure alcohol a year, according to the World Health Organisation's "Global status report on alcohol and health 2014". This equates to 29 litres of vodka, 116 bottles of wine, or 445 pints of beer per person. This figure is calculated using alcohol sales data and population estimates. Ireland's alcohol consumption has historically been influenced by various factors, including the proximity of brewing and distilling locations, making alcohol more affordable and accessible in certain towns.
In recent years, there has been a downward trend in alcohol consumption among teenagers, with an increase in the number of children reporting that they have never had an alcoholic drink. However, in 2014, 21% of children reported having been 'really drunk', and 20% reported having had an alcoholic drink in the last 30 days. Alcohol use among youth in Ireland is influenced by factors such as parental attitudes and the ease of access to alcohol.
The harmful use of alcohol has severe health and social consequences, including an increased risk of cancers, stroke, liver cirrhosis, accidents, injuries, assault, violence, and suicide. Alcohol abuse creates extensive problems for Irish medical services, with alcoholism implicated in at least three deaths per day in the country. In 2014, one-third of self-harm presentations were linked to alcohol consumption.
To address the issues associated with alcohol consumption, Ireland has implemented various measures. The Mental Treatment Act of 1945 recognised the problem of alcoholism and introduced procedures for admitting individuals with alcohol abuse issues to hospitals, even if they were unwilling to seek treatment. Additionally, civil society organisations and the government have worked to increase the availability of treatment and support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, for those struggling with alcohol dependency.
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Factors influencing Ireland's alcohol consumption
Ireland has consistently ranked among the top countries for per capita alcohol consumption. In 2023, Ireland's per capita alcohol consumption was 9.9 litres of pure alcohol per person aged 15 and over, a slight decrease from 10.2 litres in 2022. This places Ireland 16th out of 38 countries for alcohol consumption, with Latvia and Lithuania reporting the highest consumption.
Several factors influence Ireland's high alcohol consumption:
- Historical and cultural influences: British cultural practices, particularly during the plantations of Ireland, have been implicated in promoting a drinking culture. The influence of British culture through sporting events and the presence of cricket clubs are associated with increased drinking. Additionally, the mass industrialization of whiskey manufacturing in the 18th century led to reduced prices and increased accessibility, contributing to a surge in alcohol consumption among the working class.
- Brewing and distilling industry: The proximity of towns to brewing and distilling locations has also played a role. Historically, towns closest to production facilities had cheaper alcohol due to lower transportation costs, resulting in higher consumption rates.
- Social norms: Alcohol consumption is deeply ingrained in Irish society and is considered a vital part of social interactions. Social drinking, particularly among men, is prevalent, and drinking is associated with masculinity.
- Religious customs: Religion, specifically the Catholic Church, has historically influenced drinking patterns in Ireland. While the Church attempted to suppress alcoholism and encouraged abstinence, the differential power of the Church across regions may have contributed to regional variations in drinking.
- Health awareness: In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the negative health impacts of alcohol. Many adults have been motivated to reduce their consumption to improve their physical and mental health, and there is an increasing consciousness about the health harms associated with excessive drinking.
- Economic factors: The price of alcohol is a factor in consumption levels. Historically, lower transportation costs in certain towns made alcohol more affordable, contributing to higher consumption. Additionally, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may be more inclined to consume unrecorded alcohol, which tends to be cheaper.
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Frequently asked questions
According to a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Irish people over the age of 15 drink, on average, 11.9 litres of pure alcohol per year. This puts Ireland among the most prolific drinkers in the world. However, recent reports from 2025 indicate that alcohol consumption in Ireland has dropped by 4.5% to 9.49 litres of pure alcohol per adult. This decrease places Ireland at average European levels of alcohol consumption. In 2023, Ireland ranked 16th out of 38 countries for per capita alcohol consumption, with an average consumption of 9.5 litres.
There are several factors that have been attributed to high alcohol consumption in Ireland. These include increased affluence, reduced alcohol taxes, and greater access to alcohol due to longer store opening hours. Binge drinking is also a prevalent issue in Ireland, with over 58% of drinking occasions resulting in binge drinking. This has led to risky alcohol consumption, particularly among younger age groups and women.
Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to various health problems in Ireland, including oral cancer and liver disease. The harmful use of alcohol has also resulted in a significant number of deaths, with 3.3 million deaths attributed to alcohol worldwide each year, according to the WHO. To address alcohol-related harm, Ireland has implemented various measures, including the establishment of task forces, the introduction of the Mental Treatment Act, and the development of support services for individuals struggling with alcohol abuse.
