Australia: Alcohol consumption decreasing nationwide during five years to 2016

Beers and backyard cricket may be synonymous with Australia Day, but it seems some party traditions are less popular than thought.

Alcohol consumption has been decreasing nationwide during the five years to 2016 according to the most recent data by Australia Bureau of Statistics, with Aussies only knocking back an average 9.7 litres of alcohol in 2016, the Daily Mail reported on January 25.

And when Aussies do drink, they're less likely to be cracking open a cold beer than in years gone by. In 1995-96 beer represented 54 per cent of all alcohol consumed, but this figure fell to 40 per cent in 2015-16.

It also appears decades of public health campaigns against smoking are making an impact, with fewer people sneaking off behind the shed for a drag.

In 2014-15, 14.5 per cent of adults were daily smokers compared to 23.8 per cent in 1995.

If the cricket bat comes out on Australia Day, expect a few wides and missed shots - only 1.2 per cent play outdoor cricket more than once a month.

And taking a look at what might be on the barbeque on January 26, it seems chicken is the meat of choice.

The popular poultry option is most commonly consumed by Aussie meat eaters, with beef coming in second.

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