New Zealand Alcohol Consumption Falls to Record Low in 2025

Wellington — New Zealand’s alcohol consumption has dropped to a record low, with total beverage volumes declining by 8.3% to 442 million liters in 2025, according to new data released by Statistics New Zealand.

 

Beer consumption saw the sharpest decline, falling 10% to 265 million liters, accounting for around 60% of total alcohol consumption. Notably, higher-strength beer with an alcohol by volume (ABV) above 5% dropped significantly by 27%.

 

Wine consumption also decreased by 11% to 85 million liters. In contrast, spirits including whisky and brandy rose slightly by 1.3% to 93 million liters.

 

Overall, the volume of pure alcohol across all beverage types declined by 7.6%, equivalent to an average of 1.6 standard drinks per adult per day, down 8.4% from 2024. The data shows a consistent downward trend in alcohol consumption over the past five years.

 

Long-term trends indicate that beer and wine consumption have been declining since 2011, while the share of spirits has increased, now accounting for approximately 21% of total alcohol consumption.

 

Dylan Firth, Executive Director of the New Zealand Brewers Association, said the figures reflect a broader behavioral shift among consumers.

 

“New Zealanders are drinking less and choosing to drink more moderately,” he said, describing the trend as a “long-term behavioral change.”

 

He added that consumers are increasingly opting for mid-strength beer, amid ongoing economic pressures and rising excise taxes.

 

 

Source : Xinhua Thai News