How many people will abstain from alcohol this January?

Connor IbbetsonData Journalist
December 30, 2021, 10:12 AM GMT+0

One in eight drinkers plan to try and stay sober for the month

Cutting down on the booze is a popular New Year’s resolution, but how many people say they are going tee-total for the month?

YouGov research shows that one in eleven people (9%) say they plan on giving up alcohol at the start of next year, compared to 55% who will continue to drink as normal.

However, nearly one in three people (29%) say they don’t drink normally anyway. Taking these people into account means that some 12% of people who say they do drink are planning on giving it up for January, while 79% of drinkers will not. There is little difference among those saying they will take part, including some 11% of male drinkers and 14% women who drink.

Some 13% of those aged 18 to 24 plan to give up alcohol in January, as do 15% of people aged between 35 and 44, and 9 of people aged 55 and over.

Check back through January to see how many people manage to stay sober throughout the entire month.

See full results here

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