Study Reveals Gen Z Leading Significant Decline in Alcohol Consumption with Long-Term Health Benefits

New Delhi:

Generation Z is leading an unprecedented shift away from alcohol consumption, according to recent research published on Tuesday.

Australian researchers from Flinders University have documented this significant cultural change that could potentially transform drinking patterns and deliver substantial public health benefits if the trend persists.

The study published in Addiction journal reveals that despite alcohol abstinence typically being lowest during early adulthood, Gen Z demonstrates a higher likelihood of abstaining compared to earlier generations.

Beyond just abstaining more frequently, this younger generation also consumes notably less alcohol weekly than their older counterparts.

"Our research demonstrates that throughout their lives, Gen Z are nearly 20 times more likely to abstain from alcohol compared to Baby Boomers, even after accounting for sociodemographic factors," explained lead researcher Dr. Gianluca Di Censo from Flinders' College of Medicine and Public Health.

"This appears to be a sustained behavioral change rather than a temporary phase, potentially yielding long-term public health advantages," Di Censo added.

The research team analyzed over two decades of data from more than 23,000 Australians, discovering increasing abstention rates and declining weekly alcohol consumption, especially among younger cohorts.

Their findings indicate that millennials are also consuming less alcohol than Baby Boomers, suggesting a broader societal shift away from alcohol consumption.

Interestingly, while millennials and Gen X reported higher per-occasion consumption than Baby Boomers, their overall weekly intake was lower, indicating that while binge drinking remains a concern, regular heavy drinking is becoming less common.

The research also found that the silent generation—those born before 1946—exhibited the highest weekly alcohol consumption levels, even exceeding Baby Boomers, suggesting older adults may still face significant risks of alcohol-related harm while younger generations reduce their intake.

These generational trends could inform future public health initiatives, according to researchers.

"Understanding the drivers behind declining alcohol use among younger populations—whether economic pressures, changing social norms, or policy interventions—could help promote healthier behaviors across all age groups," Di Censo stated.

The team suggested policies including minimum alcohol pricing, advertising restrictions, and targeted health campaigns could reinforce these positive trends.

They emphasized the continued importance of focusing on high-risk populations, such as adolescents engaging in binge drinking and middle-aged adults consuming large quantities weekly.

--IANS

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