UK adults over 55 are consuming low & no alcohol alternatives at an increasing rate, according to the latest research from The Portman Group in partnership with YouGov. 

The survey, conducted by the group, found that alcohol alternatives are more commonly consumed by younger adults, with 43% of 18–24-year-olds drinking them semi-regularly. However, other groups are now catching up. 

Looking to other demographics, 40% of 35–44-year-olds are drinking alternatives semi-regularly, while 35% of those aged 55+ are drinking them the same amount, a 10% increase compared with 2022. 

Elsewhere in the report, nearly a quarter of adult drinkers who have tried low & no products reported that they help reduce their overall alcohol consumption. 

Considering drinking levels more generally, the report found that more than a third of UK adults consume up to five units of alcohol per week. 

Positively, 86% of those surveyed either abstain or drink within the Chief Medical Officer guidelines of 14 units. A third of adults said they do not drink at all. 

For the eighth year in a row, the survey found that the primary incentive to drinking low & no products remains the ability to drive home safely from events. 

Following this, a desire not to drink excessively at social events was named as the secondary reason. 

On the outcome, Matt Lambert, CEO of the Portman Group, said: “These results serve to demonstrate that a large proportion of UK consumers continue to drink moderately and that low & no products help them to do this. 

“It’s good news that UK adults are embracing moderate drinking and low & no alcohol options like never before, showing these products are now a mainstream choice helping people to drink responsibly while still enjoying social occasions.”