The Scottish Health Survey 2022: summary report
Key findings from the Scottish Health Survey 2022 report.
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Chapter 6. Alcohol
For all adults, prevalence of hazardous or harmful drinking has generally decreased over time, with levels dropping from 34% in 2003 to 22% in 2022.
- 2003: 34%
- 2008: 32%
- 2009: 29%
- 2010: 28%
- 2011: 28%
- 2012: 28%
- 2013: 25%
- 2014: 25%
- 2015: 26%
- 2016: 26%
- 2017: 24%
- 2018: 24%
- 2019: 24%
- 2021: 23%
- 2022: 22%
Non-drinking prevalence rose from 11% in 2003 to 19% in 2022.
- 2003: 11%
- 2022: 19%
In 2022, hazardous or harmful drinking levels varied by age, ranging between 15% of those aged 75 and over to 28% among those aged 55 – 64.
- 16-24: 26%
- 25-34: 20%
- 35-44: 22%
- 45-54: 24%
- 55-64: 28%
- 65-74: 20%
- 75+: 15%
In 2022, the average number of units of alcohol consumed per week by all drinkers was 12.6 units, ranging significantly by age from 15.5 units among drinkers aged 16-24 years to 10.2 among drinkers aged 75+.
- 16-24: 15.5
- 25-34: 10.7
- 35-44: 12.6
- 45-54: 13.7
- 55-64: 13.4
- 65-74: 12.0
- 75+: 10.2
Prevalence of hazardous or harmful drinking levels was significantly higher among those living in the least deprived areas (28% in SIMD quintile 5) than among those living elsewhere (19-23%).
- SIMD quintile 5 (least deprived): 28%
- SIMD quintile 4: 24%
- SIMD quintile 3: 20%
- SIMD quintile 2: 23%
- SIMD quintile 1 (most deprived): 19%
Hazardous or harmful drinking was most prevalent among those who reported having a non-limiting long-term condition and least prevalent among those with a long -term condition that limited their activities.
- Limiting long-term conditions: 17%
- Non-limiting long-term conditions: 29%
- No long-term conditions: 25%
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