Swedes’ alcohol consumption is lower than before the pandemic, shows a new report from the Central Association for Alcohol and Narcotics Information (CAN).
In 2022, total alcohol consumption was approximately two percent lower than the year before the pandemic.
– It may be that we don’t go back to the old drinking habits but that we stay somewhat lower, says Björn Trolldal, investigator at CAN.
Fewer restaurant visits, large festive gatherings and trips where alcohol was brought home caused total alcohol consumption in Sweden to drop by six percent during the pandemic year 2020. This despite Systembolaget’s sales going up. The reduction was mainly due to a sharp drop in travel arrivals and lower sales at restaurants, according to CAN.
After the pandemic, consumption has increased again, but not to the same levels as before the pandemic, and in 2022 total alcohol consumption was approximately 2 percent lower than in 2019.
May be due to the pandemic and higher prices
– The question is whether what we see now is the new normal level. It may be that we do not go back to the old drinking habits but that we stay somewhat lower. It may partly be due to the pandemic, but also to the higher cost situation and the higher prices we have seen in 2022, says Björn Trolldal, investigator at CAN.
Systembolaget’s sales and restaurant consumption are back at roughly the same levels as before the pandemic, but travel revenue is still low, which contributes to the overall reduction in consumption.
– We will certainly see reduced alcohol-related injuries due to the reduction, and this applies to both alcohol-related mortality and morbidity but also alcohol-related violence, says Björn Trolldal.