Gen Z Chooses Health Over Alcohol: Drinking alcohol is harmful to health, and health experts advise everyone not to drink alcohol. Despite this, millions of people around the world drink alcohol, and it has often become a part of celebration. However, a recent report has made a shocking revelation, which shows that the trend of staying away from alcohol is increasing rapidly among the youth around the world. This change is being seen the most especially in Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012).
According to the report, 36 percent of youth of legal drinking age have never drank alcohol. The biggest reason behind this change is health awareness. 87 percent of youth reported that they do not drink alcohol because they want to maintain their health and reduce the risk of serious diseases in the future. 30 percent of youth said they stay away from alcohol to save money, while 25 percent abstain from alcohol to get better sleep.
The report also mentions a new trend called ‘zebra stripping’, in which people drink a mixture of alcoholic and non-alcohol drinks at parties or social occasions. In this way they get help in reducing the amount of alcohol consumed and maintaining sobriety.
The number of regular drinkers is also declining. By 2025, only 17 percent of people will drink alcohol weekly, whereas in 2020 this figure was 23 percent. Additionally, among those who drink occasionally, 53 percent are now trying to reduce their alcohol consumption, compared to just 44 percent five years ago. Additionally, the number of people who have never drank alcohol has increased by 3 percent since 2020.
Although liquor sales have declined globally, liquor consumption is increasing rapidly in India. In 2024, total wine consumption worldwide is projected to reach 253 billion litres, and wine consumption in India is expected to grow by 357 million liters between 2024 and 2029. Due to this, India is becoming one of the fastest growing liquor markets in the world.
This change is contrary to the global trend, where young people are turning away from alcohol. The report also highlights the growing demand for non-alcohol spirits. Wine sales grew only a modest 0.6 percent, bringing its total market value to $1.7 trillion, while sales of non-alcohol spirits rose 17 percent.
From this it is clear that due to increasing health awareness, the new generation is staying away from alcohol, while the figures of alcohol sales still remain high in many places, especially in countries like India.
