A third of U25s haven't drunk alcohol in the past year

[HangTime]

Reading about nightclub closures earlier these stats stood out to me:

• A third of under-25s haven't drunk alcohol in the past year
• 26% of 16-24yos never drink alcohol

This was a surprise to me, as when I was that age I'd say it was pretty uncommon for people not to be drinking in some capacity. I'd estimate the non-drinkers being 15% at most - that's not to say everyone was getting on it every weekend, but certainly going a year or more without drinking was rare). One of the rationale put forward was that people who turned 18 during lockdown probably never got into the habit of going out boozing as the sort of badge of freedom we've seen in the past. Cost of living was also cited, although I'm less convinced about that one (alcohol is not expensive in supermarkets, and plenty of poor people drink alcohol).

One personal theory on this is that 20+ years ago online dating either didn't exist, was primitive and/or had a stigma attached to it, so basically the way people would find a partner was in pubs/clubs. People might have been drinking because that was just the anchor for social engagement and in particular meeting new people. Nowadays, there's probably a generation of people who've primarily hooked up with people via dating apps, or indeed make friendships online, so going out-out (and hence drinking) is less relevant.

I'm not looking to pass judgement on whether this is a good or bad thing, but I found it interesting nevertheless.

 

[slinxy]

Back in my days, I used to go out Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoons to go drinking. Often getting hammed; I just thought it was part of the growing up experience.
I don't go out often now a days, most of the time I have a drink or two and stay sober, it's rare that I drink at home or get hammed.. I just would need the next week off work. lol

The next generation were different, my neices and nephews rarely drink.. even between my gen and theirs.. the youths of the day would drink at home before getting a taxi straight to a club and then stop drinking.

 

[Sirrel Squirrel]

A third of under-25s and 26% of 16-24 year olds are liars

 

[uber soldat]

They're too busy self identifying as cats, and other dumb ****.

 

[imtoooldforthis]

In before a bunch of bitter old men have a moan because kids aren’t ruining their livers like ye good old days

 

[Bluecube]

Young folk (ugh! Can't believe I'm saying that!) have no interest in boozing. That's no surprise given the price of going out to the pub these days. And who wants to sit at home drinking alone? Booze is one of the most unnecessary, insidious and endemic drugs in modern life and it's great to see it being rejected. I say that as a habitual (but not heavy by any stretch of the imagination) drinker.

 

[BennoUK]

I’m not surprised, I’d blame it on men subscribing to MGTOW in large and refusing to go out on the chase anymore. I’d like to see the figure breakdown by gender to see if that theory holds any water

 

[Delta3D]

I'm 24, I don't drink much and neither do a lot of my friends.

I guess majority of it within my social circles is just due to preference to do other things like road trips in cars etc. Personally think night clubs are massively overrated and generally filled with more hot tempered people now than there was 6 years ago when I was 18... Not worth the hassle, and the price of drinks is astronomical in places.

Would much rather spend £20-30 or even more in a restaurant with some friends than pay that in a pub or a club. That only gets you 3, 4 if you're lucky, drinks in a club now!

 

[robfosters]

Demographics my friends. Lot more people now who follow a religion that demands abstinence

 

[200sols]

They're too busy self identifying as cats, and other dumb ****.

Sounds like something is poisoning your mind. Lay off the booze

 

[Chrisc]

My 14yr old son told me he'd given up drinking as he doesn't see the point in it and it doesnt even taste nice.

***kin loser..

 

[JonRGV250]

They're too busy self identifying as cats,

throwing soup over paintings and sitting in the middle of the road because cLiMaTe bOiLiNg.
If half of these ******* morons went out clubbing, had a few beers and got laid they'd have a much nicer time.

 

[Zenduri]

throwing soup over paintings and sitting in the middle of the road because cLiMaTe bOiLiNg.
If half of these ******* morons went out clubbing, had a few beers and got laid they'd have a much nicer time.

Maybe they're saving money and not buying booze or avocado latte's so they can afford the £500,000 starter homes that dont exist

I hear this is popular advice in some corners of OCUK

 

[imtoooldforthis]

How much of a delusional bitter old fart does one have to be to think kids don’t go out clubbing anymore and instead all attend climate change protests lol

I go to Fabric every month and it’s always packed full of younger generations.

 

[LOAM]

Of that age group in our office, it's about 50/50 drink/don't drink. There's barely anyone I know though now who drinks to oblivion like we used to at that age. I think it's a great thing to be honest, will certainly reduce A+E costs at some point.

 

[ltron]

Sensible people . People talk about personal responsibility and bad life choices resulting in unnecessary pressure on the health service, but don't seem to like it when it goes against what they did.

 

[Mysterae_]

One personal theory on this is that 20+ years ago online dating either didn't exist, was primitive and/or had a stigma attached to it, so basically the way people would find a partner was in pubs/clubs. People might have been drinking because that was just the anchor for social engagement and in particular meeting new people. Nowadays, there's probably a generation of people who've primarily hooked up with people via dating apps, or indeed make friendships online, so going out-out (and hence drinking) is less relevant.

I think there's probably a lot in that; 'gettin' yer hole' as we used to say when I was young, is a lot more easier nowadays -

Stat from Gov.uk:

Compared to 2021, the number of new STI diagnoses in 2022 among young people aged 15 to 24 years increased by 26.5% (129,938 to 164,337), largely due to the near doubling of cases of gonorrhoea over the same period (91.7% increase from 16,191 to 31,037, as shown in Figure 5).

 

[rare]

Amazing how relatively quickly things can change between generations. Early to mid 2000’s when ‘chav’ culture was in full swing it would have been hard to find teenagers that didn’t drink and go out clubbing.

 

[Pigeon_Killer]

Not exactly a bad thing. It’s ridiculously expensive now and incredibly unhealthy, just need to kill off processed foods next and the generations that follow might be able to lead healthier lifestyles without really trying. As long as they touch grass every once in a while.

 

[NickK]

I'm 24, I don't drink much and neither do a lot of my friends.

I guess majority of it within my social circles is just due to preference to do other things like road trips in cars etc. Personally think night clubs are massively overrated and generally filled with more hot tempered people now than there was 6 years ago when I was 18... Not worth the hassle, and the price of drinks is astronomical in places.

Would much rather spend £20-30 or even more in a restaurant with some friends than pay that in a pub or a club. That only gets you 3, 4 if you're lucky, drinks in a club now!

That's quite similar to France, the focus is going out to a restaurant and maybe a bar but it's not a trophy hammered and legless affair. Also attitude between sexes also differs in the same regard.