Research shows average Irish person drank equivalent of 411 pints last year

Figures reveal a drop in alcohol consumption over the last few years

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The average Irish adult drank the equivalent of 411 pints of beer in 2012.

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A new study has revealed that the average Irish adult drank the equivalent of 411 pints of beer in 2012.

The figures, which are published by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) and based on data sourced from the Revenue Commissioners, suggest that the average adult (defined here as someone aged 15 or over) imbibed 11.681 litres of pure alcohol in 2012, the equivalent of 411.3 pints of beer, stout or cider with 5 per cent alcohol content.

The figures are a considerable fall from the peak of 2001 when the average adult consumed the equivalent of 508 pints, according to TheJournal.ie.

Compiled by Anthony Foley of DCU Business School, the figures, which are adjusted to take account of variances in the national population each year, show a slow fall-off in alcohol consumption over the last few years.

The most dramatic fall came between 2008 and 2009, when the amount consumed by the average adult fell from 433 pints a year to 392, the lowest this century.

DIGI chairperson Peter O’Brien, of Diageo, said the amount of alcohol consumed was being impacted by the weak domestic economy.

“In addition there has been a substantial societal shift in many areas leading to reduced alcohol consumption,” he said.

“Increasingly we are seeing people opting to dine out, and people are choosing to enjoy alcohol as an accompaniment to food.”
 

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