Share of adults who drank alcohol in last year in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Share of adults who drank alcohol in last year was 77.9% in 2020. ▬ Flat
Share of adults who drank alcohol in last year in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2000–2020
Source: World Health Organization - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of adults who drank alcohol in last year in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is 77.9%, measured in 2020.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.5% on the previous year and down 0.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of adults who drank alcohol in last year in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 79.0% in 2004 and was at its lowest, 77.5%, in 2013.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 12th of 187 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Share of adults who drank alcohol in last year in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 78.1% | — |
| 2001 | 78.5% | +0.6% |
| 2002 | 78.6% | +0.1% |
| 2003 | 78.6% | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 79.0% | +0.4% |
| 2005 | 78.9% | -0.1% |
| 2006 | 78.7% | -0.2% |
| 2007 | 78.8% | +0.2% |
| 2008 | 78.6% | -0.3% |
| 2009 | 77.8% | -1.0% |
| 2010 | 77.9% | +0.1% |
| 2011 | 77.8% | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 77.5% | -0.3% |
| 2013 | 77.5% | -0.0% |
| 2014 | 77.6% | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 77.8% | +0.2% |
| 2016 | 77.9% | +0.2% |
| 2017 | 78.2% | +0.3% |
| 2018 | 78.3% | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 78.3% | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 77.9% | -0.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 78.6% | 77.8% | 79.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 77.9% | 77.5% | 78.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 77.9% | 77.9% | 77.9% | 1 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
More reference data data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.13 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 3.97 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.01 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 10.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 6.51 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 15.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 59.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 5.48 (2050)
All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of adults who drank alcohol in last year in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Share of adults who drank alcohol in last year in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 77.9% in 2020, according to World Health Organization - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of adults who drank alcohol in last year recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 79.0% in 2004.
- What is the lowest share of adults who drank alcohol in last year recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 77.5% in 2013.
- How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for share of adults who drank alcohol in last year?
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 12th out of 187 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of adults who drank alcohol in last year rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of adults who drank alcohol in last year. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Adults are defined as those aged 15 years and older. Shown is the share of adults who have drunk any alcohol in the preceding 12 months.