As the year-end festivities approach, several social drinking opportunities arise. From Diwali parties to New Year galas, alcohol has always been a common feature among celebrations across all cultures. However, it is important to question who is drinking the least. Is it the grey-haired boomers, Gen Z with their newfound sense of independence or the health-conscious millennials?
According to a recent Australian study, researchers from Flinders University found that younger adults are more likely to abstain from drinking alcohol, as compared to Baby Boomers, Gen X, and even millennials. Authored by Dr Gianluca Di Censo, the research from the College of Medicine and Public Health found that Gen Z is nearly 0 times more likely to choose not to drink alcohol compared to Baby Boomers, considering several sociodemographic factors.
What is driving the decline?
The study, published in the journal ‘Addiction’, looked into more than 20 years of national data which measures 23,000 Australians. It was evident that the rate of alcohol abstinence was staggeringly high among younger adults when compared to the weekly consumption of other age groups. While millennials, too, were found to be drinking less, Gen Z still topped the chart. Binge-drinking remained a common concern, as older generations were found to drink more across less frequent occasions.
Meanwhile, the so-called Silent Generation, born before 1946, recorded the highest levels of weekly alcohol intake, surpassing even Baby Boomers. Di Censo believes that understanding factors like “economy, social norms, changing values, or policy intervention”, that might lead to the habit of drinking would help support healthier behaviours.
Shift towards health or trend?
Researchers also revealed that this contrast in behaviour might just be a positive shift towards overall generational health concerns. Likely to be fueled by family background and shared experiences, Di Censo hypothesised that, “This isn’t just a phase; it appears to be a sustained change in behaviour that could have long-term public health benefits.”
Interestingly, the report also believes that social gatherings centred towards alcohol might also be changing, normalising abstinence. The study also revealed that the Silent Generation (born before 1946) reported the highest weekly alcohol intake, surpassing even the Baby Boomers. This suggests that while younger generations are cutting back on drinking, older Australians remain more vulnerable to alcohol-related health risks.
It is possible that this is a potential move that could reinvent social hierarchy and societal meaning of celebration, while pointing out the increasing focus on a healthy lifestyle.
