Alcohol consumption and sales volumes continue to decline in 2023 in France, but at the same time, hospitalizations linked to alcoholic beverages have increased, reports the French Observatory of Drugs and Addictive Tendencies.
- In 2023, alcohol consumption continued to decline across all age groups in France.
- “On the other hand, the number of hospitalizations linked to alcohol is increasing,” warns the French Observatory of Drugs and Addictive Tendencies.
- “These stays concern 307,676 patients, the majority of whom are men (73%) and whose average age is 56 years.”
At the end of November, the French Observatory of Drugs and Addictive Tendencies published its traditional balance sheet on alcohol consumption by French men and women. And a few days before the end of the year and the Dry January challenge – sober January – we thought it would be a good idea to talk about it at Quelle Docteur.
An average of 10.35 liters of pure alcohol per inhabitant over 15 years old
Alcohol consumption is falling in all age groups. “The year 2023 marks, once again, a decline in most indicators linked to the sale and use of alcohol”, the report begins. In detail, the volumes of pure alcohol put on sale decreased by 3.8% in 2023 compared to 2022, “now standing at an average of 10.35 liters of pure alcohol per inhabitant over 15 years old”. The cause: the decline in sales of wine (−4.2% between 2022 and 2023), which remain the favorite alcoholic drinks of the French with 52% of the market share. Note, however, that beer has been gaining more and more ground since 2018, with a quarter of alcohol volumes now on sale.
A reduction in daily alcohol consumption
“Among adults, the most marked decrease concerns daily consumption (− 13% between 2021 and 2023)”, specifies the report. Experts also point to the fact that there are far fewer people killed in fatal crashes involving a driver with a positive blood alcohol level, with a drop of 7.5 points in 2023 compared to 2022.
“Among 17-year-old adolescents, the drop in consumption is even more pronounced between 2017 and 2022, with daily use decreasing by 31%, and use during the month decreasing by 14%.” Although they are still present, significant monthly occasional alcohol consumptions are also decreasing, with a drop of 16.8% compared to 2017.
An increase in alcohol-related hospitalizations
“On the other hand, the number of alcohol-related hospitalizations is increasing”, warns the French Observatory of Drugs and Addictive Tendencies. The data shows a 4.1% increase in stays and a 2.5% increase in patients in 2023 compared to 2022. “These stays concern 307,676 patients, the majority of whom are men (73%) and whose average age is 56 years.”
These data confirm the trend driven by new generations of adults who consume less alcohol than older ones on a daily basis but excessively occasionally. The “lower risk” consumption guidelines, which are aimed at adults without health problems, include three dimensions: not consuming more than 2 glasses per day, no more than 10 per week, and having at least least two days a week without any alcohol consumption.
