Young Americans break up with booze: Record 40% of 18-34-year-olds say they don’t drink alcohol at all

They’ve been branded the ‘boring’ and healthy generation and now a new poll shows that young Americans are playing true to type – with a record-low number of 18- to 34-year-olds drinking alcohol.

A Gallup poll found only 62 percent of people in the age group report drinking alcohol, a stark decrease from 72 percent in 2003.

Researchers carried out telephone interviews in three time periods, with surveys conducted in July of each year consisting of approximately 1,000 national adults.

One aspect of behavior that may explain the decrease in boozing is evidence from other studies that point to increased marijuana use among 19- to 30-year-olds.

In 2022, 44 percent of these young adults reported using the drug, up from just 28 percent a decade earlier.

Those aged between 35 and 54 maintained a higher drinking rate, at 69 percent. Between 2001 and 2003, 67 percent of this age group said they were drinking

Meanwhile, more adults aged 55 and older are consuming alcohol, with 59 percent saying they drink, up from 49 percent two decades ago.

Those aged between 35 and 54 maintained a higher drinking rate, at 69 percent. Between 2001 and 2003, 67 percent of this age group said they were drinking.

Researchers said the main reason for the decline among younger people is due to the greater racial and ethnic diversity among those surveyed.

The proportion of 18- to 34-year-olds questioned who are Black, Hispanic, Asian or another racial minority nearly doubled in the past 20 years. In 2001-2003, these demographics only made up a third of Gallup’s participants. Now, they account for roughly half.

Non-white Americans across all age groups have consistently been less likely to drink than white Americans.

In the most recent survey, 57 percent of non-white adults aged 18-34 drink, compared to 66 percent of white adults that age.

This means the overall drinking rate among 18- to 34-year-olds has dropped as the percentage surveyed who are non-white has increased.

There are also rising health concerns among the younger generation.

A separate poll by Gallup found an increase in Americans who think that even moderate drinking is bad for your health.

And young people’s increased use of cannabis is likely to have also contributed to their declining interest in alcohol.

In 2022, 44 percent of 19- to 30-year-olds reported using the drug, up from 28 percent in 2012.