Alcohol consumption in Ireland falls in 2025
Ireland’s alcohol consumption dropped by more than a third last year compared to the average in 2001, according to a new report.
The findings come from the latest annual report authored by Anthony Foley on behalf of Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI).
The report sources figures from the CSO population and migration estimates and the Revenue Commissioners’ alcohol clearances data.
The report found that the average adult in Ireland drank 9.30 litres of pure alcohol last year, which was down by 2.1% compared to 2024 and by 35.6% compared to 2001, when Ireland’s alcohol consumption is said to have peaked.
Beer is Ireland’s most consumed alcoholic beverage with a 42.1% share, and wine placed second with a 20.94% share. Spirits made up 22.4% of consumption, with the segment recording a minor 0.2% increase in volume last year.
It was highlighted that Ireland now falls within the EU average alcohol consumption per capita. Ten countries topped Ireland’s average in 2025, and seven were below.
The DIGI believes the figures underscore an increase in responsible drinking and in moderation within Ireland, and that the country is no longer an ‘international outlier for high alcohol consumption’.
Call for a 10% reduction on alcohol tax
The organisation is also lobbying for a 10% cut on alcohol excise for the 2027 Irish Budget, which is due to be presented in October.
“Irish consumers are forced to pay one of the most punitive and unjust rates of excise tax on alcohol in the European Union,” said a spokesperson for the DIGI.
Only Finland has a higher alcohol excise rate in the EU and UK, while Ireland also has the third-highest tax on spirits, behind Sweden and Finland.
Expanding on what lowering the alcohol tax rate could do, the secretary of DIGI and CEO of The Licensed Vintners Association, Donall O’Keefe, explained: “Today’s report demonstrates that Irish people continue to consume alcohol at levels in line with the European average. Despite this, Irish consumers are forced to pay one of the most punitive and unjust rates of excise tax on alcohol in the European Union.
“This policy increases cost pressures on both consumers and struggling small family-owned pubs and restaurants, during a prolonged period of economic turbulence. High excise rates also reduce our competitiveness in tourism and hospitality compared to our EU counterparts.”
O’Keefe also called on the government to “acknowledge the importance of pubs” to the local community.
He continued: “These are small businesses that have faced a decade of deep financial uncertainty, with Brexit, Covid, transatlantic trade disruption and geopolitical tensions combined with sharp increases in government-imposed costs, all compounding to drive rapidly rising cost pressures. We must help rather than hinder small business.”
O’Keefe believes a 10% cut to tax could lower “cost pressures on small hospitality businesses”, warning that it is “especially critical for pubs” without food as they don’t benefit from the reintroduced reduction of VAT to 9% from 1 July.
Exports of Irish whiskey and gin decreased in value last year while cream liqueurs soared, a report by Bord Bia revealed.
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