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 health 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 that only 62 percent in that age group said they drink, 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 with around 1,000 national adults.

One aspect of behavior that may help 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 in 2012.

Only 62 percent of Americans aged 18-34 said they drink, a stark decrease from 72 percent in 2003

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 this decline is the greater racial and ethnic diversity among the adults surveyed.

The proportion of 18- to 34-year-olds questioned who are Black, Hispanic, Asian or another racial minority has nearly doubled in the past 20 years. In 2001-2003, this made up a third of Gallup’s participants. Now, it accounts 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 18-34s has dropped as the percentage surveyed who are non-white has increased.

There are also rising health concerns among the younger generation.

Another 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 it, up from 28 percent in 2012.