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3h ago

Australian Study Finds Gen Z Far More Likely To Abstain From Alcohol Than Boomers

Two decades of HILDA panel data indicate a cohort-driven decline in youth drinking.

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Two pretty young blond females stand in beautiful countryside, wrapped up in warm clothing to reflect the colder season. They both hold takeaway coffee cups, and bump them together as they make a celebratory toast. The moment is lighthearted and fun as the friends smile and laugh.
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Close up shot of fizzy drinks in plastic cups and bottle in hands of diverse friends toasting at home

Overview

  • Published in Addiction, the Flinders University analysis followed more than 23,000 Australians over 20 years using HILDA data to separate cohort effects from aging.
  • Researchers found Generation Z are nearly 20 times more likely to abstain from alcohol than Baby Boomers after adjusting for sociodemographic factors.
  • Weekly alcohol consumption is declining among younger cohorts, with Gen Z and Millennials showing lower regular intake than older generations.
  • Millennials and Generation X report higher per-occasion drinking than Boomers, signaling ongoing binge-risk despite reduced weekly totals.
  • The Silent Generation records the highest weekly consumption, and the authors propose measures such as minimum pricing and advertising limits while noting the drivers of change are not yet definitive.