We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
EVERY PERSON OVER the age of 15 in Ireland drinks, on average, more than 10 litres of alcohol per year, according to new research.
The Health Research Board (HRB) has found that while alcohol consumption levels in Ireland have plateaued since 2013, people’s consumption remains “significantly higher” than the government’s 2020 target of no more than 9.1 litres of pure alcohol per person a year.
Figures released today show that in 2019, on average, every person in Ireland aged 15 and over drank 10.8 litres of pure alcohol a year – the equivalent of either 40 bottles of vodka, 113 bottles of wine or 436 pints of beer.
As one in four people in Ireland don’t drink at all, actual consumption rates among those who do drink would be much higher than this.
Ireland ranks ninth among OECD countries in terms of alcohol consumption and eighth in the world when it comes to monthly binge drinking, defined as consuming more than six standard drinks in one sitting, the HRB report notes.
The research also found the following:
Alcohol consumption during the pandemic
The report also includes an analysis of preliminary data on alcohol consumption during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Data released by Revenue last month has shown that consumption decreased by 6.5% during the last year. The HRB said this is “a relatively small decline, considering that pubs have been closed for the majority of the year”.
Beer consumption decreased by 17% in 2020 compared to 2019, while wine consumption increased by 12% in the same period, the figures show.
“While we have not seen a rise in consumption in recent years, the amount we drink and in particular how we drink continues to put us at risk of serious harm,” Dr Deirdre Mongan, co-author of the report, stated.
“Binge drinking is still widespread, especially among young people. Almost one in four men and one in ten women report that over the past year they have drunk more in a single sitting than would be suggested as a maximum weekly limit by low-risk guidelines.
“However, it appears many of us are unaware that our habits may be harmful: more than half of Irish drinkers are classified as hazardous drinkers, yet 74% consider themselves to be a light or moderate drinker.”
Mongan added that it is “still too early to tell the full impact of the change in drinking habits due to the pandemic, all signs point to substituting drinking in on-trade premises with drinking at home”.
Drink-related deaths
The HRB report also notes that alcohol-related harm leads to three deaths per day in Ireland and it is a “growing burden on the hospital system”.
The report states: “1,094 alcohol-related deaths were recorded in 2017 – an average of 3 deaths per day. Over 70% of those who died of alcohol-related causes were under 65 years old, highlighting the high levels of premature mortality associated with alcohol.
The number of discharges from hospital that relate specifically to alcohol increased from 9,420 in 1995 to 18,348 in 2018 – an increase of 94.8%.
The report also found that over 82% of schoolchildren have consumed their first alcoholic drink by age 17, with the proportion of children reporting to have been ‘really drunk’ on at least one occasion ranging from 5% of 13-year-olds to 62% of 17-year-olds.
Parents were the most common source of alcohol: 35% of 16-year-olds reported getting alcohol from their parents; 19% at a pub, bar or club; and 14% at supermarket, shop or off-license.
Dr Mongan said: “The average boy aged 17 is more likely to drink beer and to purchase it in pubs or bars, while the average 17-year-old girl is more likely to drink alcopops and to get their alcohol from their parents.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
“EVERY PERSON OVER the age of 15 in Ireland, drinks on average, more than 10 litres of alcohol per year, according to new research.” What a sweeping generalisation, certainly is not EVERY person. I wonder when the next tax increase will be.
@Dervila O’ Sullivan:
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say you didn’t read the full article, Dervila!
It mentions that 1/4 don’t drink so the true figure for drinkers is even higher.
@Lucás Ó Sneachta: her point is still correct. It said “every person….” Alarmist BS
@Dermot Sexton: it also says “on average” which means they’ve taken all the drink consumed and divided by people in the country. It’s a standard way of measuring consumption. At least for most people with basic reading comprehension skills.
@Dermot Sexton: it’s the way it’s phrased, if they had said the average alcohol consumption per person capita in Ireland is equivalent to blah blah blah, but the journal isn’t known for its straightforward headlines. It’s amazing however, how many people read the headlines and go straight to the comments to complain, is there a way of bypassing the article that I don’t know about???
@Lucás Ó Sneachta: I did read the article actually. I’m discussing the click bait headline with their poor choice in words. But don’t let that get in your way of making a smart comment.
@Lucás Ó Sneachta: well I drink alcohol but if I make it to 12 bottles of wine per year, that would be it! Many like me. A bit alarmist of a headline
@Mary McEvoy: It is a bit sickening to read, though. (I’ve practically given it up since staying in.) At first I thought the headlined 10 litres weren’t a big deal. I reckoned that was the equivalent of 20 cans, or maybe 12 bottles of wine drunk gradually over a whole year. To read that this is the volume of neat alcohol that people are routinely pouring into themselves is just weird. At some level they have got to be aware that that’s far too much?
@Dervila O’ Sullivan: takes no consideration for the thousands of tourists who flock here for the drinking.
@Dervila O’ Sullivan: jeez its an average!
@Dmitri: The headline reads “People in Ireland drink, on average, the equivalent of 40 bottles of vodka a year” Then the headline ends. With a full stop. You need to brush up on your comprehension if you can’t understand the basic point that she made. Which should be basic enough for even you to comprehend.
@Dervila O’ Sullivan: I don’t drink alcohol at all, so they can leave me and many like me, out of their figures!!!
DRINK!
@Conor Nolan: Feck
@James Fox: Ar$e
@Conor Nolan: Girls
I really shouldn’t be here.
@Conor Nolan: Is this an Ecumenical Matter?
@Conor Nolan: More Water!!!
@Conor Nolan: will you have a cup of tea? Ah go on, go on, go on, go on!!!!
@Conor Nolan: I love my brick
@Conor Nolan: Two trucks…!
@Conor Nolan: Careful now!
@Conor Nolan: down with that sort of thing
@Hugh Morris: Is there anything to be said for saying another mass?
@Conor Nolan: I hear you’re a racist now, father!
Packed it in years ago, pointless exercise.
@⚡ Seánie ⚡: Thanks for that Captain Fun!
@John Black: yeah because people who don’t drink cant be fun. I knocked it on the head too and my life is better and more fun.
@Brian Dunne: No, it’s more because he mocked other people’s lifestyle choice
@Brian Dunne: I never said that, I just said he’s captain fun for calling what other people do for fun pointless. Perhaps the alcohol withdrawal has inhibited your reading.
@Mickety Dee: exactly
@John Black: yours is the comment of a man who needs a drink, or drives others to it. Sad really.
@Stephen Byrne: an alcoholic taxi driver?
@John Black: John its quite sad that you instantly concluded he isn’t fun as he doesn’t drink. Personally I’m capped at 2to4 units a week medically. I’ve had to deal with people like you all my adult life. Fortunately at my grand age of mid thirties ppl can now see past their own insecurities and drink in my presence.
@Sarah Lou: another person with poor reading comprehension, try read my comments again and then realise I didn’t say he isn’t fun because he doesn’t drink. I said he isn’t fun because he says what other people do for fun is pointless.
@⚡ Seánie ⚡: nothing like wasting a day with a hangover and €150 plus lighter
@John Black: Sure he was only speaking for himself. He didn’t say a word about other people who enjoy a drink, only that he wasn’t getting as much out of it and can take it or leave it. No need to call the man childish names for doing his own thing.
@John Black: Nó John that is not what he said. That is what YOU interpreted from his comment. Again no more than those I referenced in my previous comment internalising it and becoming defensive due to your own insecurities. The man didn’t mention another person. But while on the topic anyone reading this who consumes 40 bottles of vodka per annum I encourage you to seek help.
@Brian Dunne: watch out for the macho culture! They need anotger drink to understand!
Ireland is the most expensive country in Europe for alcohol and STILL the Government wants to bring in minimum unit pricing. A backdoor tax masquerading as a public health measure.
Government report spun up to justify increase tax in the next budget
Oh no says a government official gleefully we will have to tax this and tax it hard to stop this sort of thing
@Martin Woods: taxing it more will decrease consumption. I personally don’t know anyone who can afford to drink socially on a regular basis. It’s a crap buzz too IMO. Just legalise cannabis, tax it and lets all join(t) the 21st century.
@merely ed: The only way I can face journal.ie comments section is with a bottle of vodka beside me.
@Justin Gillespie: and popcorn
@merely ed: Taxing it more has just pushed more people to drink at home rather than in pubs which in turn has completely destroyed the pub trade. As the article said, alcohol consumption has leveled off. Ireland has one of the most expensive alcohol prices in Europe.
That’s lies. I have never drank vodka in my life. So thats the average gone straight away.
I’m doing my part; are you?
@Crocodylus Pontifex: shur I is too you know what I mean ,cmere ,what you sayin?
I always knew I was above average.
Seriously….at the moment do you blame us?
Well someone is drinking my share so they putting away 80 bottles…
Gave it up 7 years ago. Don’t miss it for a second. Wake up fresh, enjoy delicious food, travelling and experience wonderful cultures with a fresh head and an amazing partner next to me.
We lean on alcohol for the confidence to dance and talk to people. Take it out of the equation and we find the confidence sober- 100 times better.
@Joey: I believe there’s no white or black. There’s also gray, and a lots of different greys. I’m nearly 50, I can count in one hand the times I’ve been ‘drunk’ in my whole life. Yet, I’m enjoyong alchool every now and then with lunch or dinner.
There’s no need to gave up altogether. This is something I’d never understand.
@Proudly Italian: yeah I like the taste of IPAs and wine rarely even get tipsy let alone drunk whatever works for you but yeah if you’re drinking it for Dutch courage it’s probably unnecessary.
@Proudly Italian: TBF, some people can’t necessarily moderate their consumption either. Not to mention it’s more effort than people can realise. When I tried to moderate, I always was asking questions like when can I drink, how many drinks should I have and was also conscious of sticking to the unit’s guidelines. In that case, I found it much easier to abstain completely:)
All aboard the let’s tax some more train…choo choo
3 people dying from alcohol related conditions every day, that’s shocking but avoidable.
I’m surprised around a quarter don’t drink. I thought it would be less.
@Leadóg: Plenty of people don’t drink, either at all or regularly. It’s normal enough. Add up all those who can’t because it would disagree with them; anyone in training, or on a course of tablets; those who never drank, those who gave it up, those who consider it a rare luxury and not a regular purchase. Also people who are pregnant, dieting, a sole parent and who drive for a living. Anyone who needs to stay at peak alertness for their job. I would have thought that more than 25% of people skip it than not.
Disgraceful. I almost spilt my pint when I saw those numbers.
Why can they just not say alcohol consumption has dropped?
https://amp.rte.ie/amp/1175460/
Is no one else skeptical of this? Working the numbers and excluding the non drinkers, it suggests that on average each Irish person consumes 11 pints per week.
@James Hanley: yeah was thinking the same. While I don’t drink near that much but wouldn’t necessarily think much of that number in someone else, it seems incredibly high to be the AVERAGE.
I know other stats are known to be skewed by the boozy nature of Dublin’s tourist attractions. Don’t see that mentioned one way or another here.
@James Hanley: I’m also skeptical. Would like to see the calculations behind it and wouldnt be a bit surprised if it’s being reported incorrectly.
If you exclude the non-drinkers, its more than 11 pints per week. That’s the average for everybody. Exclude the non drinkers and you’re approaching 2 pints per day per drinker, cant be that high.
@Tony Walsh: It does seem a whole lot. Maybe it’s being produced but for various hygiene purposes? I don’t suppose they’re including sales of denatured alcohol for hand sanitiser? It’s one sideline of bulk buying that is no doubt keeping breweries going.
I was thinking that even non-drinkers buy drink regularly, to have in the house for guests – but these days, there’s no entertaining going on. No weddings, wakes or parties for now. But obviously the vintners know their own sales figures.
At the rate people are consuming alcohol during the pandemic we will see a future health crisis regarding Oesophageal cancer and liver disease before too long.
I think you need to factcheck the heading of your own article this time
…problem is that the true wine lovers, like me, have to pay extortion prices and be subject to absurd measures, because of this bunch of drunk addicted….
Here’s a better idea – sell it like a monthly data plan. That way people can buy x amount of wine at normal prices. Have it set up so that the extra tax is payable only if they go “outside their planned allowance”. What do you think?
@Fiona Fitzgerald: I keep thinking is better to educate young people in consuming alchool correctly (i.e. enjoying), rather than boozing. Thinking about wine-tasting classes for teenagers for example. That being said, your looks like a nice idea, actually. Although I hate being driven by a leash because the lack of brain of other, seems like a fair compromise to me.
Whoever is drinking my share must be lingers 7 days a week.
This is exactly why cannabis needs to be legalised. It would lead to a much more healthy and happy nation. And then of course there’s the tax benefits
@Kevin Mc Donnell: OR…maybe we could investigate why so many people need substances to enjoy life in the first place.
I am a bit mystified by the stream of comments, both here and elsewhere, that generally paint taxation as a ‘bad thing’. Taxation, in all its forms, pays for roads, schools and their staff , hospitals and their staff, libraries and librarians, the Gardaí, etc., etc. All the things which keep societies functioning are funded by taxation. So, if you ever need an ambulance, thank taxation!
@sean o’dhubhghaill: taxation is something. Extortion is another thing. Also, I’m expecting taxes proportionate to the services I receive. Not a ‘nordic-style’ taxation, and ‘African’ services.
Do ut des
@Proudly Italian: I used to live in Africa. Trust me, you don’t know how good we have it here compared to some other places.
@Proudly Italian: I used to live in Africa, taxes were higher than Ireland and you got way way way less from your taxes.
Well stop making it so goooood
Drunkards
@Tomas Kuodis: hiccup,hiccup!!
Clearly I’m not getting my fair share.
“Laughs in Russian”
The HRB is talking through its hoop. There’s no way the average person over 15 is drinking that much in Ireland. This “research” is agenda driven.
I’d say they all keep a keen eye on the sales figures. Plus VAT. Besides, it isn’t even including home brewers. I hope the under-15s aren’t knocking it back in those quantities.
I steer clear of drink as much as I can nowadays, the hangovers when you get older just really aren’t worth it, not for me anyway..
Not a statistic to be proud of and yet I know so many people will think of it as a badge of honour. “Wooh, look at me, I can drink SO much more than you, so what if I can’t remember it all tomorrow”. That attitude is one a lot of us had as teenagers, well, it’s meant to change as you mature but not for an awful lot of Irish people. A night out is not a night out if you can remember it.
Always thought I was an above average Irishman!!
Tourists also drink ….are they included in these figures ?
@Gerry in London: The survey was of Irish people, wasn’t it?
40 bottles of vodka a year
40 bottles a year
Take one down, pass it around…
No way this is right!
I’ve that drank in the first month..
Drunkards
40 bottles… amateurs :P
Works out, and yes I calculated it as I’ve time on my hands, as under 3 doubles a day! Someone’s not pulling their weight! Is it you? Is it your neighbour? When’s the public inquiry
My business what I drink and wjy they keep trying to shame people by amout they drink. Simply mind your bees wax
#challangeaccepted #justajoke
Someone must be drinking my share…
I’m well above average yourself ..
have your say