The adult alcohol consumption rate in the United States has dropped to its lowest level ever. In particular, the trend of abstinence is especially pronounced among Republican supporters, suggesting a complex interplay of political, economic, and social factors.
According to data from the polling organization Gallup, cited by the Financial Times on the 13th (local time), 54% of American adults reported that they consume alcohol, such as wine and beer. This marks the lowest level since Gallup began related surveys in 1939, with Gallup explaining that this is influenced by the reinforced message from the medical community that "there is no safe amount of alcohol."
Specifically, half of adults aged 18 to 34 responded that they "do not drink alcohol at all," reflecting a significant increase compared to 2023 (41%). Among them, two-thirds perceive even light drinking of 1 to 2 glasses a day as harmful to health. The average alcohol consumption among drinkers also showed a decrease from 3.8 glasses last year to 2.8 glasses this year.
Interestingly, there were differences in alcohol consumption rates by political orientation. Notably, the proportion of abstainers was found to be higher among conservatives. The rate of Republican supporters who reported drinking this year is 46%, approximately one-third lower compared to 2023. Considering the decrease in drinking rates among Democratic supporters during the same period (5 percentage points), the difference is even more pronounced.
Experts believe that the abstinence trend among conservative figures has influenced their supporters. For instance, President Donald Trump declared abstinence after his brother died from alcohol addiction, and Minister Robert Kennedy Jr. has also maintained abstinence after experiencing heroin addiction in the past. Figures from the MAGA camp, such as broadcaster Tucker Carlson and political activist Charlie Kirk, have repeatedly emphasized abstinence as a virtue.
Additionally, it is assessed that the Republican Party expanded registration among abstinent voters from ▲Christian ▲Mormon ▲Amish communities in key states like Arizona and Pennsylvania during the previous presidential election, influencing this trend.
However, the trend of abstinence has not been limited to specific groups. Over the past two years, the alcohol consumption rate has declined by more than 10 percentage points across all demographic groups, including women, whites, high-income, and low-income individuals.
Some attribute the decrease to the expansion of marijuana use and the spreading of GLP-1 class obesity treatments, however, experts consider the worsening economic situation to be a more significant factor. Lawrence Wyatt, a Barclays analyst, noted that "economic pressures such as inflation, interest rate hikes, and declines in disposable income appear to have a more direct impact on reducing consumers' alcohol consumption."