Americans’ Alcohol Consumption Stays at Historic Low for Second Year

Gallup’s July poll revealed that only 54 % of American adults say they consume alcohol, tying the lowest percentage the organization has tracked since its 1939 baseline. Lydia Saad, Gallup’s director of U.S. social research, noted that the drop spans every age cohort and suggests a lasting shift rather than a temporary reaction. Health concerns appear to be driving the trend, with just over half of those surveyed now labeling alcohol as bad for health, compared with under 30 % ten years earlier, and 86 % reporting familiarity with recent studies on alcohol’s long-term effects.

The share of people who admit to drinking too much also slipped to a record low of 13 %, down from over 20 % before 2000. In parallel, federal statistics show that more than 21 million Americans use marijuana daily or near-daily, reflecting changing legal frameworks and attitudes. The findings signal a broader move away from alcohol toward alternative forms of relaxation and wellness activities.