Record low: Americans drink less than ever

Gallup finds fewer Americans say they drink, signaling a shift tied to rising worry about alcohol health risks.

U S alcohol use hits a record low amid health concerns

Gallup reports that 54% of Americans say they drink alcohol this year, the lowest since Gallup began tracking in 1939 and one point below the previous record low in 1958. The drop comes as more people describe moderate drinking as potentially unhealthy, a shift that aligns with broader public health messaging. The gender gap remains, with women showing a larger decline and men still more likely to drink. Younger adults are the driest group, with only half of those aged 18 to 34 reporting they drink, compared with 56% of those 35 and older. Beer and wine preferences also diverge by gender, reflecting different social cues around drinking.

The poll suggests a subtle cultural shift rather than a single trend. Health information is increasingly shaping daily choices, from meals to nights out, and this visibility could outlast any one survey. Experts caution that linking rising health awareness to a lasting decline requires more data, but the direction is clear: perceptions about risk are changing how people decide what to drink.

Highlights

Public health messaging may continue to nudge habits even as new data emerge.