Why are under 25s drinking less nowadays?

A recent UCL study shows more under 25s are choosing not to drink.

The study revealed the amount of 16 to 24-year-olds who abstained from drinking went from 18 percent in 2005 to 29 percent in 2015. Binge drinking went down from 27 percent in 2005 to 18 percent to 2015. Researchers suggest the change might be due to changing social norms around drinking.

 

The line graph chart shows how the drinking habits of young people have changed over time (data is from the UCL study)

 

Dr. Linda Ng Fat, the lead researcher, stated in the study: “Increases in non-drinking among young people were found across a broad range of groups, including those living in northern or southern regions of England, among the white population, those in full-time education, in employment and across all social classes and healthier groups.”

Callum Denning, 21 years old, abstained from drinking during his first year at university. Find out more about his story in our audio piece:

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Check out the way airports are cracking down on drunk passengers

Words and audio by: Earyel Bowleg | Subbing by: Maria Campuzano

Photo credit: Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

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