In 2017/18,around 1 in 5 NZ adults were hazardous drinkers (est. number 775,000 or 19.8% of New Zealand adults 15 years and above).
For information on the prevalence of hazardous drinking, click the button HAZARDOUS DRINKING
Comparison between subgroup (adjusted by age / sex / ethnic group):
- Men were significantly more likely to drink hazardously than women.
- Māori men/women were significantly more likely to drink hazardously than non-Māori men/women.
- All persons/women living in the most deprived neighbourhoods were significantly more likely to drink hazardously than all persons/women living in the least deprived neighbourhoods.
- Asian men/Asian women were significantly less likely to drink hazardously than non-Asian men/women.
Changes in hazardous drinking over time
As noted, changes in the NZ Health Survey only permit comparisons in hazardous drinking between the following surveys:
- from 2006/07 to 2015/16,
- and from 2015/16 to 2017/18.
Overall changes in hazardous drinking
From 2006/07 to 2011/12, the proportion of adults classified as hazardous drinkers significantly decreased from 18.0% to 14.9%. Large reductions were noted in adolescents and young adults. By 2015/16, most of the positive reductions made between 2006/07 and 2011/12 had been lost (except among young people). Rather, many groups had a higher prevalence of hazardous drinking in 2015/16 than in 2006/07 (i.e. Māori women, persons of European/other ethnicity, 35-44 year olds, 45-54 year olds, and 65-74 year olds).
Since 2015/16, the overall prevalence of hazardous drinking has stabilised in the overall population - from 20.8% in 2015/16 to 19.8% in 2017/18. During this period, no significant changes in hazardous drinking have occurred in any group characterised by age, sex, or ethnicity.
Women are becoming a higher proportion of hazardous drinkers
The proportion of all hazardous drinkers that are women increased from 28.5% in 2011/12 to 31.6% in 2015/16.
Significantly more Māori women are drinking hazardously in 2015/16 (29.4%) than in 2006/07 (24.2%). From 2015/16 and onwards, there have been no significant changes in hazardous drinking in Māori women in the past three years of comparable surveys (i.e. 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18).
Changes in hazardous drinking by age-group
From 2006/07 to 2011/12, large reductions in hazardous drinking were noted in adolescents (15-17 year olds) and young adults (18-24 year olds). Both groups maintained their lower levels of hazardous drinking, and by 2015/16 the prevalence of hazardous drinking was significantly lower when compared to 2006/07. However, the prevalence remained unacceptably high. Click this button for more information on TRENDS IN ADOLESCENT DRINKING.
Older groups moved in a different direction. There have been significant increases in hazardous drinking over time among older age groups in New Zealand. Following declines in hazardous drinking between 2006/07 and 2011/12, the prevalence of hazardous drinking increased from 2011/12 to 2015/16. These increases were substantial among the age-group of 45-54 years, 55-64 years and 65-74 years.
Therefore, all of the positive reductions in drinking that had been achieved between 2006/07 and 2011/12 were lost by 2015/16. Of particular concern, the level of increase was so great that some age groups (35-44yrs, 45-54yrs, 65-74yrs) had significantly higher levels of hazardous drinking in 2015/2016 than in 2006/07.
Click this button for more information on DRINKING TRENDS IN OLDER ADULTS
Since 2015/16, there have been no significant changes in hazardous drinking in the past three years of comparable surveys (i.e. 2015/16, 2016/17, and 2017/18).
Changes in hazardous drinking by ethnic group and neighbourhood deprivation
Persistent inequities remain for Māori and deprived population. From 2006/07 to 2011/12, the proportion of hazardous drinkers decreased in most of the ethnic groups. By 2015/16, the positive reductions made between 2006/07 and 2011/12 had been lost. Hazardous drinking among Māori women significantly increased in 2015/16 when compared to 2006/07.
The ratio of inequity in hazardous drinking is the highest for Māori women and for women living in neighbourhoods with high deprivation (in comparison to the relevant reference group).