According to figures newly released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australians are drinking less alcohol than anytime in the previous 50 years.

Louise gates from the ABS said: “Across all alcoholic beverages, there were 9.7 litres of pure alcohol available for consumption in 2013-14 for every person in Australia aged 15 years and over. This is the lowest level since the early 1960s.

“The pattern of alcohol consumption has changed significantly over this period. Fifty years ago, beer made up three quarters of all alcohol consumed, but now makes up under half at 41 per cent. Wine’s share has increased over the same period from 12 per cent to 38 per cent.”

Currently Australians drink more red than white wine – 270 million litres of white wine compared with 190 million litres of red wine in 2013-14, while full strength beer remains the most popular type of beer, accounting for around three quarters of all beer in 2013-14.

“Over the past decade we have seen the popularity of mid-strength beer grow at the expense of low strength beer,” said Ms. Gates.

“Mid-strength beer now makes up 19 per cent of all beer consumed in Australia, while low strength beer accounts for five per cent. Spirits including ready-to-drink (pre-mixed beverages) increased from 13 per cent of all pure alcohol consumed in 1963-64 to 19 per cent in 2013-14. Cider accounted for a small but growing proportion, at two per cent in 2013-14.”

Further information is available on the ABS website – http://www.abs.gov.au