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By Mandy Taheri
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Alcohol consumption among U.S. adults has fallen to its lowest recorded level in nearly 90 years, with 54 percent saying they drink, down from 58 percent a year ago, according to Gallup's latest annual survey.
Why It Matters
Gallup has tracked alcohol consumption among U.S. adults since 1939. The latest figure falls below the previous record low of 55 percent in 1958.
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The poll also found that a majority of Americans, 53 percent, believe that moderate drinking is bad for one's health. Alcohol can lead to many health problems, including liver diseases and increased risk of some cancers.
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What To Know
The latest Gallup survey, conducted from July 7 to July 21, found that a smaller share of Americans are drinking alcohol than at any point in the poll's history. In the mid-1970s, the share peaked at 71 percent for three consecutive years starting in 1976.
Drinking rates have since generally trended downward, averaging about 60 percent, with periodic rises and dips. In 2022, 67 percent of adults said they drank alcohol, which Gallup noted as an outlier, followed by 62 percent in 2023, 58 percent in 2024 and 54 percent this year.
The poll found that the decline in drinking is disproportionately among women, down 11 percentage points since 2023, to 51 percent, whereas men are down 5 points, at 57 percent. Along party lines, 61 percent of surveyed Democrats drink compared with 46 percent of Republicans.
The survey also found that 53 percent of Americans say drinking in moderation, which is one or two drinks a day, is bad for one's health. Thirty-seven percent believe it does not make a difference.
The results come as 45 percent of Americans last year believed moderate drinking was bad for health, according to a Gallup poll.
The view has shifted sharply in recent years. From 2001 to 2011, about 25 percent of Americans said drinking was good for one's health. Women are more likely than men to view moderate drinking as unhealthy, 60 percent to 47 percent, respectively.
The poll also found the lowest recorded figure of average number of drinks over the past week since 1996, at 2.8.
What People Are Saying
Dr. Amanda Berger, senior vice president of science and research for the Distilled Spirits Council, told Newsweek, in part, via email Wednesday: "For millions of American adults, responsible alcohol consumption is an enjoyable way of enhancing meals and bringing people together – and, for most adults, moderate drinking can be a part of a balanced lifestyle. The decision whether or not to drink alcohol is a personal one, and the spirits industry recognizes that there are some people who should not drink and supports those who choose not to. As with many choices in life, consuming alcohol comes with risk, and no one should drink to achieve health benefits. For adults who choose to drink, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting alcohol to two drinks or less per day for men and one drink or less for women. Individuals should speak with their health providers about alcohol to determine what is best for them, based on personal risk factors, such as family history, genetics, and lifestyle.
Lydia Saad, Gallup's director of social research, in the August 13 survey announcement: "The declines in alcohol consumption does not appear to be caused by people shifting to other mood-altering substances—in particular, recreational marijuana, which is now legal in about half of U.S. states."
The Office of the Surgeon General, in a January announcement: "Alcohol consumption is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, after tobacco and obesity."
What Happens Next
As Americans' drinking habits shift, the change is expected to affect the alcohol industry as well as the growing market for alternative beverages, driven in part by rising health concerns.
Update 8/13/25, 3:15 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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