A recent Gallup poll has revealed a notable shift in American drinking habits, with the percentage of U.S. adults who consume alcohol reaching its lowest point in nearly 90 years. This change is driven by evolving perceptions of health and wellness, especially among younger generations and women.
Key Findings from the Gallup Poll:
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Overall Decline: Only 54% of American adults now report drinking alcohol, a sharp drop from 59% in 2023. This is the lowest figure since Gallup began tracking this data in 1939.
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Perception of Health Risks: For the first time, a majority of Americans (53%) believe that moderate drinking (one to two drinks a day) is bad for one’s health. This view has grown dramatically from just 28% in 2018.
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Younger Adults Lead the Trend: The biggest drop in alcohol consumption is among young adults, with the rate falling from 59% in 2023 to 50% today. This trend coincides with a recommendation from the U.S. surgeon general to add a cancer warning to alcohol labels.
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Women Are Cutting Back: The decline is more pronounced among women, with a decrease of 11 percentage points since 2023. Women are also more likely than men to view moderate drinking as unhealthy (60% vs. 47%).
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Reduced Consumption: Among those who do drink, the average number of drinks per week has fallen to a record low of 2.8, down from 3.8 a year ago. A growing number of drinkers (40%) report not having a drink for more than a week.
