Alcohol consumption in Ireland continues to fall, with 36% reduction over 25 years

Press Release: Alcohol consumption in Ireland continues to fall, with 36% reduction over 25 years

• Ireland now matches EU average alcohol consumption per capita
• Drinks Industry Group of Ireland seeks 10% excise reduction in Budget 2027
• DIGI spokesperson: “Irish consumers are forced to pay one of the most punitive and unjust rates of excise tax on alcohol in the European Union.”  
• Alcohol consumption per capita by Irish adults fell once again last year, continuing the major downward trend recorded over the past 25 years, figures published today show.

The report, authored by economist Anthony Foley on behalf of the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), shows that average alcohol consumption per adult fell by 2.1% last year to 9.30 litres of pure alcohol (LPA). This marks a drop of more than one third (35.6%) since consumption peaked in 2001.

CONSUMER TRENDS

The report also shows that consumption habits and tastes have continued to evolve among Irish consumers over the last year.

• Beer was the country’s most popular alcohol last year, holding a 42.1% market share, despite experiencing a 2.7% drop in total volume.
• Wine remained the second most popular drink, increasing its volume by 4.0% to claim a 29.4% market share. Wine’s popularity has more than doubled since 2000, when it held just a 13.2% share.
• Spirits saw a minor volume increase of 0.2%, resulting in a 22.4% market share (up slightly from 22.3% the previous year).
• Cider volume dipped by 0.2%, maintaining a stable 6.1% market share.
  The figures outlined in the report demonstrate that the vast majority of Irish people are increasingly drinking alcohol responsibly and in moderation.

The report follows international data showing that alcohol consumption in Ireland is well within average European levels. Out of 17 EU countries plus the UK tracked by the OECD in 2023, ten exceeded the Irish average consumption level for that year of 9.9 LPA, while seven were below it. Ireland's level sits just below the unweighted sample average of 10.0 LPA in the EU plus the UK, proving the country is no longer an international outlier for high alcohol consumption.

Secretary of DIGI and CEO of The Licensed Vintners Association, Donall O’Keefe said: 

“Today’s report demonstrates that Irish people continue to consume alcohol at levels in line with the European average. Despite this, Irish consumers are forced to pay one of the most punitive and unjust rates of excise tax on alcohol in the European Union.

“This policy increases cost pressures on both consumers and struggling small family-owned pubs and restaurants, during a prolonged period of economic turbulence. High excise rates also reduce our competitiveness in tourism and hospitality compared to our EU counterparts.

“We would urge policymakers to also acknowledge the importance of pubs to the social fabric and wellbeing of local communities, particularly in rural areas where social isolation is an increasingly common reality.

“These are small businesses that have faced a decade of deep financial uncertainty, with Brexit, Covid, transatlantic trade disruption and geopolitical tensions combined with sharp increases in Govt-imposed costs, all compounding to drive rapidly rising cost pressures. We must help rather than hinder small business.

“This year, we are urgently calling on Government to introduce an immediate 10% cut in excise tax in order to reduce cost pressures on small hospitality businesses around the country.” This is especially critical for pubs that do not serve food, as they do not benefit from the welcome reintroduction of VAT9.

The 2026 DIGI report was compiled by Anthony Foley, Associate Professor Emeritus at Dublin City University (DCU), using data from the CSO population and migration estimates and the Revenue Commissioners’ alcohol clearances data

Posted on 27 Jul 2026