A study of more than 23,000 Australians confirms that Gen Z is driving a major decline in alcohol consumption, with the younger generation drinking less frequently and more often choosing to abstain altogether.
The Flinders University research, released on Tuesday, tracked drinking behaviours across five generations - from the Silent Generation (1928 - 1945) to Gen Z (1997 - 2012) - and is the first in Australia to use longitudinal data to separate age effects from genuine generational change.
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Lead author Dr Gianluca Di Censo from Flinders University’s College of Medicine and Public Health and the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) says the findings reveal a clear cultural shift.
“Our research shows that over the course of their lives, Gen Z are nearly 20 times more likely to choose not to drink alcohol compared to Baby Boomers, even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors,” Dr Di Censo said.
“This isn’t just a phase; it appears to be a sustained change in behaviour that could have long-term public health benefits.”
The study found that Gen Z has the highest abstention rates, consuming significantly less alcohol per week than older cohorts. Millennials are also drinking less than Baby Boomers, reinforcing the downward trend.
Using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, the study quantified abstention, typical session consumption, and weekly intake:
- Gen Z are the most likely to abstain from alcohol, even in early adulthood.
- Millennials and Generation X drink more per occasion than Boomers but have lower weekly consumption, indicating a binge rather than habitual drinking pattern.
- The Silent Generation reported the highest overall weekly alcohol intake, even more than Baby Boomers.
These results highlight a clear generational divide: while older Australians continue to drink more regularly, younger people are embracing sobriety and moderation.
Why the Decline?
Co-author Dr Kirrilly Thompson attributes this shift to a changing social landscape.
“Younger Australians are growing up in a different world - one where abstaining from alcohol is increasingly normal, and where digital socialising, rising living costs, and health awareness are reshaping how people spend their time and money,” she said.
The study also links historical and economic events - including world wars, the global financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic to drinking behaviours established in early adulthood.
Alcohol is a causal factor in more than 200 health conditions and diseases, including seven types of cancer. National guidelines recommend no more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than four in a single day.
Researchers say understanding the drivers behind Gen Z’s reduced drinking could help shape public health strategies. Suggested policy measures include:
- Minimum alcohol pricing
- Stricter advertising controls
- Targeted campaigns for high-risk groups
“If we can understand what’s driving this decline in alcohol use among younger people-whether it’s economic pressures, social norms or policy changes - we can use that knowledge to support healthier behaviours across all age groups,” Dr Di Censo said.
Dr Thompson says the findings offer a positive outlook for future health outcomes.
“Gen Z are redefining what it means to socialise and celebrate, and they’re doing it with less alcohol. That’s something we should be paying attention to, not just as researchers, but as a society.”
Study Reference:
Gianluca Di Censo, Kirrilly Thompson, Murthy N. Mittinty & Jacqueline Bowden (2025). “OK Boomer: A longitudinal analysis unravelling generational cohort differences in alcohol consumption among Australians.” Addiction. DOI: [10.1111/ADD.70201](https://doi.org/10.1111/ADD.70201)
Funding: Dr Di Censo, Dr Thompson, and Dr Bowden receive funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to support research on alcohol and other drugs.
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