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Statistics on alcohol: 1976 onwards

  • Last modified date:
    8 February 2007

This statistical bulletin presents information on alcohol use and misuse from a variety of sources.

Summary

  • In Great Britain in 1998, nearly two fifths (39%) of men drank more than 4 units of alcohol on one day in the previous week; around a fifth of women (21%) drank more than 3 units of alcohol on one day in the previous week.
  • In 1996, mean weekly alcohol consumption in Great Britain was 16.0 units for men and 6.3 units for women.
  • In 1996, 27% of men and 14% of women aged 16 and over were drinking more than 21 and 14 units a week respectively. Drinking at these levels amongst men has remained stable at about 27% since 1986; that of women has risen from 10% to 14% in the same period.
  • Over a quarter (27%) of pupils aged 11-15 drank in the previous week in 1996, in England, compared to a fifth (20%) in 1988.
  • It is estimated that the annual prevalence rate of alcohol dependence in private households is 75 per thousand population among men aged 16-64 years and 21 per thousand population among women in the same age group.
  • During 1997 in Great Britain there was 16,800 casualties in traffic accidents involving illegal alcohol levels, 5% of all traffic accident casualties.

Any questions concerning the data in this publication, or requests for further information, should be addressed to:

Patsy Bailey (Room 437B)
Department of Health
Skipton House
80 London Road
London SE1 6LH
Tel. 020 7972 5551
Fax. 020 7972 5662

Extracts from this publication may be reproduced provided a reference to the source is given.

Print copies of this bulletin can be obtained from:

Department of Health
PO Box 777
London SE1 6XH
Telephone 08701 555 455
Fax 01623 724 524
Email: doh@prologistics.co.uk

Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Drinking amongst adults aged 16 and over
  3. Drinking among young people aged 11-15
  4. Alcohol released for home consumption
  5. Health
  6. Other indicators of alcohol related harm
  7. Economics
  8. Editorial notes
  9. Further information
    Annex A: Bibliography
    Annex B: Technical notes
    Annex C: Reference tables

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