Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Younger people seem to be swearing off the boozeByDominic Hughes Health correspondentPublished27 January 2026 Almost a quarter of adults in England do not drink alcohol, according to new figures from a government-backed NHS health survey. The data suggests that young people, and increasing numbers of men in particular, are shunning booze. The latest data from the Health Survey for England for 2024 suggests 24% of adults said they haven't drunk alcohol in the previous year. But far fewer older people abstain from alcohol and those who do drink, are likely to do so at more dangerous levels. Between 2011 and 2022, the number of adults who claimed not to drink alcohol had been fairly stable, at around 19% – almost one in five. But these figures suggest that figure has risen, with almost a quarter of adults saying they haven't drunk alcohol in the past year. Age and sex are playing a significant part in attitudes towards booze.
Published: January 27, 2026 5:29 pm
Source: BBC — Read original