Alcohol consumption fell again last year, and Ireland is now within the EU average
A new report indicates that alcohol consumption in Ireland has continued a 25-year downward trend, reaching levels consistent with the European average. Despite this, industry representatives are calling for a reduction in excise taxes, citing economic pressure on businesses.
Why it matters
This data challenges the perception of Ireland as an outlier in alcohol consumption and highlights ongoing debates regarding excise tax policy.
FIGURES PUBLISHED TODAY show that alcohol consumption per capita by Irish adults fell again last year.
This continues a downward trend which has been recorded over the past 25 years.
A report by economist Anthony Foley on behalf of the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) shows that average alcohol consumption per adult fell by 2.1% last year to 9.30 litres of pure alcohol (LPA).
This marks a drop of more than one-third (35.6%) since consumption peaked in 2001.
The report follows international data showing that alcohol consumption in Ireland is well within average European levels.
Out of 17 EU countries plus the UK tracked by the OECD in 2023, 10 exceeded the Irish average consumption level for that year of 9.9 LPA, while seven were below it.
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