The Scottish Health Survey 2022: summary report

Chapter 6. Alcohol

For all adults, prevalence of hazardous or harmful drinking has generally decreased over time, with levels dropping from 34% in 2003 to 22% in 2022.

• 2003: 34%
• 2008: 32%
• 2009: 29%
• 2010: 28%
• 2011: 28%
• 2012: 28%
• 2013: 25%
• 2014: 25%
• 2015: 26%
• 2016: 26%
• 2017: 24%
• 2018: 24%
• 2019: 24%
• 2021: 23%
• 2022: 22%

Non-drinking prevalence rose from 11% in 2003 to 19% in 2022.

• 2003: 11%
• 2022: 19%

In 2022, hazardous or harmful drinking levels varied by age, ranging between 15% of those aged 75 and over to 28% among those aged 55 – 64.

• 16-24: 26%
• 25-34: 20%
• 35-44: 22%
• 45-54: 24%
• 55-64: 28%
• 65-74: 20%
• 75+: 15%

In 2022, the average number of units of alcohol consumed per week by all drinkers was 12.6 units, ranging significantly by age from 15.5 units among drinkers aged 16-24 years to 10.2 among drinkers aged 75+.

• 16-24: 15.5
• 25-34: 10.7
• 35-44: 12.6
• 45-54: 13.7
• 55-64: 13.4
• 65-74: 12.0
• 75+: 10.2

Prevalence of hazardous or harmful drinking levels was significantly higher among those living in the least deprived areas (28% in SIMD quintile 5) than among those living elsewhere (19-23%).

• SIMD quintile 5 (least deprived): 28%
• SIMD quintile 4: 24%
• SIMD quintile 3: 20%
• SIMD quintile 2: 23%
• SIMD quintile 1 (most deprived): 19%

Hazardous or harmful drinking was most prevalent among those who reported having a non-limiting long-term condition and least prevalent among those with a long -term condition that limited their activities.

• Limiting long-term conditions: 17%
• Non-limiting long-term conditions: 29%
• No long-term conditions: 25%