France: Alcohol consumption 2.5 times lower in 2017 than it was in 1960

Drinks producers in France are adapting their products as figures show that people are drinking less and less alcohol, with consumption 2.5 times lower in 2017 than it was in 1960, The Connexion reported on May 11.

The average consumption in France has dropped from 26 litres per year per person (aged 15 or over) in 1960 to 11,7 litres in 2017, show figures from Santé publique France.

This can be largely explained by public health initiatives that have encouraged people to drink less. This includes the ‘Évin’ law from January 10, 1991, which significantly limited advertising for alcohol drinks in a bid to protect young people.

During lockdown and the Covid pandemic, people also drank less because they were unable to go out and became more concerned with health in general.

Young people especially are moving away from alcohol, partly due to the rise in ‘mindful’ and ‘conscious’ drinking. These ideas encourage a more measured approach to alcohol, including drinking just enough to relax socially but not so much to cause negative after-effects or a dependence.

Challenges such as ‘Dry January’, in which participants try not to drink alcohol for an entire month, are also spreading in popularity.