Finland: Finland’s alcohol consumption continues to decline, beer retains highest market share
Alcohol consumption in Finland continued to decline in 2023, according to latest statistics from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Yle reported on June 17.
The total alcohol consumption in Finland was 8.7 litres of pure alcohol per resident aged 15 and over, marking a 2.4 percent decrease from 2022.
Total consumption includes retail- and on-premise sales of alcoholic beverages, as well as alcohol imported from abroad, and online purchases.
Alcohol consumption had been on the rise in Finland until 2007 when it reached 10.5 litres per person. Since then, it has been on a downward trend.
"The reduction in alcohol consumption is a positive development that has had a beneficial impact on health and well-being [of people in Finland]. Increasing the availability of stronger alcoholic beverages gradually undermines the foundation of the national alcohol policy, and also the favourable trend in overall alcohol consumption," THL Chief Specialist Thomas Karlsson said.
Earlier this month, lawmakers approved a reform of the alcohol law, allowing food stores to sell beer, cider, and wine with an alcohol content of up to eight percent, an increase from the previous limit of 5.5 percent.
There are significant regional differences in alcohol consumption, according to THL's findings.
The highest consumption was 10.5 litres in northern Finland, which is impacted by tourism. In the cottage-heavy regions of eastern Finland, South Savo recorded 9.3 litres and South Karelia 8.6 litres — both figures also affected by summer residents.
However, alcohol-related morbidity and mortality rates are higher in the welfare regions of Eastern Finland compared to those in the west, suggesting that permanent residents in the east consume more alcohol.
The lowest alcohol consumption was in Ostrobothnia, where residents aged 15 and over consumed an average of 6.0 litres of pure alcohol.
Purchases of alcoholic beverages from retail outlets, including grocery stores and state-owned Alko outlets, declined by three percent last year. Purchases from foreign online stores decreased significantly, by approximately 62 percent, compared to the previous year.
Beer remained the largest beverage group with a 46 percent share. Spirits accounted for 21 percent of consumption, while mild wines accounted for 20 percent.
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