The YouGov Reports publication ‘Drinking in the UK’ looks at UK alcohol consumption, both in and out of the home, and examines the consumer, their choices and the market.
The research found that three in 10 adults (30%) say they do not consume alcohol in an average week, while four in 10 say they drink 10 units or less (13% say they drink 1-2 units, 12% 2-5 and 12% 6-10).
When asked how often they go out to a bar or pub, about one in six adults (16%) say they go once a month compared to 14% who go once a week. Only 1% say they go once a day while 11% never go.
The research also reveals that more men than women consume alcohol in an average week. Almost four in 10 women (38%) say they do not drink alcohol compared to 22% of men. Approximately one fifth of men (18%) admit to drinking more than their recommended limit of 21 units per week, as do 11% of women (more than 14 units). In addition, those in the ABC1 socio-economic group are more likely than their C2DE counterparts to drink alcohol.
While the average consumer spend on alcohol rose year-on-year since 2008, the average consumption per adult appears to be on the decline, from over 11 litres in 2007/08 to under 10 in 2012/13.
Tom Rees, Associate Director of YouGov Reports, commented: “The vast majority of adults say they drink sensibly and below the recommended limit. However, even given the fact that people may not tell the whole story when it comes to their drinking habits, men are more likely to admit going over the recommended limit than are women; and a significant number of adults – three in 10 – say they don’t drink at all in an average week.”
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