From Millennials to Baby Boomers, Gen Z, Gen X and the Silent Generation - who is drinking more, who is drinking less, and when it comes to binge drinking, which generation may be engaging in the risky behaviour?
A cultural shift in Australia’s drinking habits has been uncovered in a landmark Flinders University study.
Analysing more than two decades of data from over 23,000 Australians, the study shows that younger generations - particularly Generation Z - are turning away from alcohol at unprecedented rates.
Lead author Dr Gianluca Di Censo, and the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), says the findings are clear.
“Gen Z are nearly 20 times more likely to choose not to drink alcohol compared to Baby Boomers, even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors."
"This isn’t just a phase; it appears to be a sustained change in behaviour that could have long-term public health benefits.”
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Evidence of a Generational Shift
The study, published in Addiction, tracked drinking patterns across five generational groups:
Silent Generation (1928–1945)
Baby Boomers (1946–1964)
Generation X (1965–1980)
Millennials (1981–1996)
Generation Z (1997–2012)
It is the first Australian study to use longitudinal data to separate the effects of age from generational change, providing robust evidence that the decline in alcohol use among young people is more than a passing trend.
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While alcohol abstinence is generally lowest in early adulthood, Generation Z shows a higher likelihood of abstaining compared to previous generations. Not only are they more likely to abstain, but they also consume significantly less alcohol per week than older cohorts. Millennials, too, are drinking less than Baby Boomers, suggesting a broader cultural shift away from alcohol.
Changing social norms and risks
Co-author of the study, Dr Kirrilly Thompson, says the findings challenge long-held assumptions about Australian drinking culture.
“For decades, alcohol has been deeply embedded in social life, but that’s changing."
"Younger Australians are growing up in a different world—one where abstaining from alcohol is increasingly normal, and where digital socialising, rising living costs, and health awareness are reshaping how people spend their time and money.”
Interestingly, while Millennials and Generation X reported drinking more per occasion than Baby Boomers, their overall weekly consumption was lower. This suggests binge drinking may still be a concern, but regular heavy drinking is declining.
The Silent Generation - those born before 1946 - recorded the highest levels of weekly alcohol consumption, even more than Baby Boomers. This highlights that while younger generations are drinking less, older Australians may remain at risk of alcohol-related harm.
Implications for public health
The study’s authors say these generational trends could help inform future public health strategies.
“If we can understand what’s driving this decline in alcohol use among younger people - whether it’s economic pressures, social norms, or policy changes - we can use that knowledge to support healthier behaviours across all age groups,” says Dr Di Censo.
Policies such as minimum alcohol pricing, restrictions on advertising, and targeted health campaigns could help reinforce these positive trends. At the same time, continued focus on high-risk groups - such as adolescents who engage in binge drinking and middle-aged adults who consume large quantities weekly - remains essential.
“Generation Z are redefining what it means to socialise and celebrate, and they’re doing it with less alcohol - that’s something we should be paying attention to, not just as researchers, but as a society," Dr Thompson adds.
Acknowledgements: Gianluca Di Censo, Kirrilly Thompson, and Jacqueline Bowden receive funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to support research regarding alcohol and other drugs
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