Gen Z Ditches Alcohol as Millennials Cut Back After COVID Drinking Surge
TL;DR Summary
A USC-led study led by Dr. Brian P. Lee finds Americans drank less overall from 2022–2024 after a pandemic-era spike: overall drinkers declined about 2% and heavy drinking fell 8%, with Gen Z reducing all alcohol use by 5% and Millennials cutting heavy drinking by 17%. By contrast, Gen X and Boomers stayed at pre-pandemic levels, and those 50+ are drinking more than before. Experts caution this early downturn isn’t a guaranteed trend since 2024 still reflected higher drinking than 2018, and rising liver-related health concerns in midlife remain a warning sign.
- Fewer Americans are boozing after a massive COVID-19 spike — and a surprising generation is leading the way New York Post
- Drinking finally slows after pandemic spike, but not for every age group NBC News
- Alcohol use is falling in America, but one age group is drinking more WFAA
- Why Older Americans Are Drinking More Alcohol—Not Less Time Magazine
- Younger adults are drinking less alcohol for the first time since Covid-19, but that’s not true for older generations CNN
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