How much do we drink?

How much do we drink in Ireland?

In 2024 alcohol consumption was 9.43 litres of pure alcohol per capita aged 15 years or older. This represents a fall of more than 14% since the passage of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act in 2018. 

The modest government target is that Ireland should reduce its use to 9.1 litres per capita – a target originally set in 2013 and to be achieved by 2020.

 

The 2024 level is nearly 5% above this target which is a significant improvement on the level in 2019 which was 18.5% above the target. While this is positive, a different picture emerges when looking at the amount consumed per drinker.

 

In 2024, according to the Healthy Ireland survey (Healthy Ireland Survey 2024) 73% of the population consumed alcohol in the past year. Using CSO data for the population aged 15 and over (3,190,082) this means that the average drinker in Ireland consumed 12.9 litres of pure alcohol. This equates to:

 

  • 262 cans of beer + 11 bottles of spirits + 39 bottles of wine + 31 cans of cider 

 

International comparison data for alcohol consumption uses a population figure for those aged 15 years and older. However, it is recognised that under-18s should not be drinking at all. If adults (18 and over) who consume alcohol drank at or below the current HSE lower-risk drinking guidelines, alcohol consumption would be significantly lower at around 6.1 litres per drinker – more than half of current levels.

 

The World Health Organisation estimates that alcohol harm costs Ireland around 2.5% of GDP annually – that’s €14 billion for 2024. At every stage when progressive alcohol policies are put forward, they are met with ferocious resistance from vested interests but improvements in our health and economy can only benefit all of society.

 

Reducing alcohol use can bring about that change.

Where do we do our drinking?

Since the 1990s, data shows that there has been a shift from consuming alcohol in pubs and bars (the on-trade sector) to consuming alcohol purchased in off-licences (including supermarkets and other retail outlets that sell alcohol). Between 1998 and 2018, the number of pub licences in Ireland decreased by 21.8%, from 10,395 to 8,134.

 

During the same time period, the combined number of wine and spirits off-licences increased by 407%, from 1,063 to 5,389. This means that people are now drinking at home more often than ever before, a trend that was further solidified during COVID-19. Research has found that adults who drink mainly at home report that they are aware that they run a risk of higher overall alcohol consumption therefore this trend may have long-term public health consequences. 

Harmful alcohol use patterns

Alcohol-related harm is determined by the volume of alcohol consumed and the pattern of drinking. Not only has Ireland a very high level of alcohol consumption research from the Health Research Board (HRB) indicates we also have high levels of heavy episodic drinking (binging). HRB research indicates that more than half of all who drink are classified as hazardous drinkers which reflects these patterns.

 

In a study, the HRB found that binge drinking among low to moderate risk drinkers accounts for most alcohol-related harm in the population. The research highlighted that monthly and occasional binge drinkers accounted for 62% of all drinkers in Ireland and this group consumed 70% of the alcohol, and accounted for 59% of the harms in the population. 

 

According to the HRB, sustained high-volume drinking above low-risk drinking guidelines may not lead to much intoxication and acute consequences, such as accidents, but can lead to chronic harms such as liver cirrhosis. Acute intoxication or heavy episodic drinking (HED), even in a person who does not have a long-standing drinking problem, can result in alcohol poisoning and injuries. 

 

In addition to all of this, the HRB 2019-2020 Irish Drug and Alcohol  Survey indicates that almost 15% of the Irish population over the age of 15 has an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) – that’s around 578,000 people. The highest prevalence of AUD was among young people who drink aged 15-24 years with a rate of 37% for males and 38% for females. 

How much do we drink? FAQs

Consumption

How much alcohol do people drink in Ireland?

In 2024, alcohol consumption in Ireland was 9.43 litres of pure alcohol per person aged 15+. When looking at the amount consumed per drinker, the figure is 12.9 litres of pure alcohol.

Alcohol consumption per capita in Ireland has decreased over the past decade since the introduction of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act in 2018. However, levels remain significantly above HSE lower-risk drinking guidelines, meaning further reductions are needed.

No. Alcohol consumption levels for young people aged 15-24 have surged from 66% in 2016 to 78% in 2025.

In 2024, Ireland’s alcohol use per drinker was

  • 262 cans of beer + 11 bottles of spirits + 39 bottles of wine + 31 cans of cider 

The Irish government aims to reduce alcohol consumption to 9.1 litres of pure alcohol per person per year. While progress has been made, current levels are still about 5% above this target.

Drinking patterns

Binge drinking (heavy episodic drinking) refers to consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short time. In Ireland:

  • Over half of drinkers are classified as hazardous drinkers
  • Occasional and monthly binge drinkers account for 70% of all alcohol consumed

Around 15% of the population aged 15+ in Ireland—approximately 578,000 people—are estimated to have an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

Young people aged 15–24 who drink have the highest rates of alcohol use disorder, with prevalence rates of around 37% for males and 38% females.

Drinking habits in Ireland have shifted over the past two decades:

  • More alcohol is now consumed at home
  • Fewer people are drinking in pubs and bars

This change is linked to the growth of off-licences and supermarket alcohol sales, which increased dramatically over the past two decades.

Sign up for our newsletter & join our community