A quarter of adults in England now refrain from alcohol, according to new research
February 2026 - Health
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Recent data from the government-backed NHS health survey indicates that an increasing number of adults in England are abstaining from alcohol. Notably, men and young people aged 16-24 are now more likely to be non-drinkers than in previous years.
The latest Health Survey England (HSE), which has been conducted since 1991, was launched in January 2024, with fieldwork taking place until Spring 2025. Over 8,000 adults (aged 16 and over) were surveyed about their alcohol consumption and drinking habits over the past year. Key findings show that fewer older people (aged 55-74) are abstaining from alcohol, with those aged 65 to 74 more likely to exceed the NHS recommended limit of 14 units of alcohol per week compared to younger adults aged 25-34.
While the percentage of women abstaining from alcohol remained unchanged over the past year (26% in 2024), there has been a significant increase in the number of men who have chosen to abstain, rising from 17% in 2022 to 22% in 2024. When analysed by age, nearly two-fifths (39%) of males aged 16-24 reported that they had not consumed alcohol in the past year, while nearly a third (31%) of women in the same age group reported the same. The age groups least likely to abstain are men aged 75 and older (17%) and women aged 55-64 (17%).
Looking at higher-risk drinking levels (14 units or more per week), the survey found that over a quarter (27%) of men admitted to consuming more than 14 units, compared to just under a sixth (15%) of women. Additionally, nearly one in three (29%) people aged 65-74 reported drinking at risky levels, in contrast to 14% of those aged 25-34.
Jem Roberts, head of external affairs at the Institute of Alcohol Studies, notes that while there are positive developments in the findings, they "should not distract from the scale of alcohol harm in England." He recommends measures such as minimum unit pricing, clearer health warnings on labels, and comprehensive bans on alcohol marketing to address alcohol-related harms and the rising number of alcohol-related deaths in England.
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