One in Four Adults in England Report Not Drinking Alcohol

Recent survey data show that a larger share of adults in England are reporting abstinence from alcohol compared to previous years. This development is based on findings from the Health Survey for England, which tracks health-related behaviours annually.

In 2024, approximately one in four adults in England stated they had not consumed alcohol in the previous year. This figure represents an increase from about 19% in 2022, indicating a shift in reported drinking habits over a relatively short period.

Among men, the proportion who reported not drinking alcohol rose to around 22% in 2024, compared to 17% two years earlier. For women, the rate of non-drinking remained stable at about 26% over the same period, suggesting that the recent increase in abstinence is more pronounced among men.

Regional differences were also observed, with the West Midlands and London showing the highest proportions of adults who did not drink alcohol, at 27% and 26% respectively. In contrast, the North East recorded the lowest rate of non-drinkers at 17%.

What the numbers show

• 24% of adults in England reported not drinking alcohol in 2024
• Non-drinking among men increased from 17% in 2022 to 22% in 2024
• Among women, the non-drinking rate was 26% in both 2022 and 2024
• The West Midlands had a 27% non-drinking rate, the highest by region
• Between 2011 and 2022, non-drinking rates ranged from 17% to 20%

The Health Survey for England, which provides these figures, is a government-supported annual assessment of health and lifestyle behaviours across the country. The survey also collects data on other health indicators, such as physical activity and chronic conditions.

According to the survey, 27% of adults were classified as physically inactive, and 46% reported having at least one longstanding health condition. Additionally, about 48% of adults were found to have raised cholesterol levels.

Prior to the recent increase, the proportion of adults in England who did not drink alcohol remained relatively steady, fluctuating between 17% and 20% from 2011 to 2022. In 2022, non-drinking rates were 16% for men and 22% for women, according to Drinkaware.

The rise in adult abstinence from alcohol has been especially notable among younger individuals and men, based on the latest survey data. This shift is reflected in the overall increase in the proportion of non-drinkers recorded in 2024.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.