Record-breaking decline in alcohol consumption in the United States, as per Gallup survey data
U.S. Alcohol Consumption Hits Record Low in 2025
A significant shift in alcohol consumption habits among U.S. adults has been observed, with the lowest rate of drinking in nearly 90 years recorded in 2025. According to Gallup polls, only 54% of adults reported drinking alcohol in 2025, a steep decline from 67% in 2022.
This trend is marked by several key changes over the past few years. The drinking rate has been on a steady decline since the early 2020s, falling from 62% in 2023 to 58% in 2024, and now 54% in 2025.
One of the most notable changes is the increased skepticism about alcohol's health effects. A record 53% of adults now believe that even moderate alcohol intake (one or two drinks per day) is harmful, up from 28% in 2015. This reflects growing health concerns and a shift in public perceptions around the risks associated with alcohol consumption.
Demographic variations also play a role in this decline. Young adults (18-34) have shown a sharp decline in drinking rates, falling from 59% in 2023 to 50% in 2025. Women have experienced a more pronounced decline, with their drinking down by 11 percentage points since 2023, now at 51%. Political differences are also evident, with Republican adult drinking dropping by 19 points (to 46%), while Democratic rates remain relatively stable at around 61%.
The decline in alcohol consumption is not just about fewer drinkers, but also about those who do drink consuming less. In 2025, only 24% of drinkers had a drink in the past 24 hours, a significant reduction from two years prior.
This contrasts with previous decades where drinking rates had consistently remained above 60% since 1997 and peaked at 68-71% during the 1970s to early 1980s. The current trend suggests a cultural and personal shift in drinking habits, with fewer people drinking and those who do drink consuming less alcohol.
Just 6% of Americans think moderate drinking is good for health, while 37% say it makes no difference. On the other hand, 53% of Americans now believe that moderate drinking is bad for one's health, marking a first in Gallup's poll.
The data suggests that this is the most sustained fall in alcohol consumption that Gallup has ever seen, marking a significant change in drinking habits among U.S. adults. It remains to be seen how these trends will continue in the future, but for now, alcohol consumption in the U.S. is at a historic low.
[1] Gallup. (2025). Gallup Poll: Alcohol Consumption Hits Record Low. [online] Available at: https://www.gallup.com/poll/319287/gallup-poll-alcohol-consumption-hits-record-low.aspx
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Alcohol Consumption in the United States. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/consumption.htm
[3] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2025). Alcohol Facts and Statistics. [online] Available at: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-facts-and-statistics
[4] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2025). Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. SMA 20-5061, NSDUH Series H-60). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. [online] Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/key-substance-use-and-mental-health-indicators-united-states-results-2025-national-survey-drug-use-and-health-hhs-publication-no-sma-20-5061-nsduh-series-h-60
[5] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2025). Alcohol Trends and Statistics. [online] Available at: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-trends-and-statistics
- Inevitably, the decrease in alcohol consumption in 2025 has encouraged individuals to seek out alternatives for health-and-wellness, such as implementing fitness-and-exercise routines and focusing on nutrition.
- As concerns about alcohol's health effects persist, awareness and interest in science-based health and well-being substances and practices are expected to rise in the coming years.
