Overview of the Survey

In an eye-opening survey conducted by Statistics Canada, it was revealed that a significant number of Canadians reported abstaining from alcohol altogether last week. The 2023 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) posed a simple question to adults across the country: "How many alcoholic drinks did you have in the past week?" The results are startling—over half of respondents, a staggering 54%, claimed they had not consumed any alcoholic beverages in the previous seven days.

Trends in Alcohol Consumption

Despite earlier trends during the COVID-19 pandemic that hinted at increased alcohol consumption, this latest data showcases a shift in behavior. While 77% of Canadians aged 18 and older admitted to having at least one drink in the past year, last week saw a notable rise in abstinence. Only 15% reported drinking a modest one or two drinks, while another 15% indicated consuming between three and six drinks. Surprisingly, another 15% admitted to binge drinking—reporting seven or more drinks.

Gender Differences in Drinking Behavior

Digging deeper into the figures reveals a stark contrast between genders. The survey found that nearly double the number of men (20%) compared to women (11%) reported having seven or more drinks in the past week—a level associated with increased risk for alcohol-related consequences. In terms of lighter consumption, the figures were almost parallel, with 16% of men and 15% of women reporting three to six drinks, and 15% of men versus 16% of women consuming one to two drinks.

Youth Abstinence Rates

Interestingly, young adults between 18 and 22 years old emerged as the least likely to drink, with an impressive 67% reporting zero alcohol consumption. This contrasts sharply with older groups, where abstinence rates only ranged between 51% and 57%. Moreover, just 8% of young adults reported drinking seven or more alcoholic beverages, significantly lower than their older peers, where the figures ranged from 14% to 17%.

Regional Differences in Drinking Patterns

Geographically, the province of Quebec stands out, exhibiting the highest percentage of heavy drinkers who had seven or more drinks last week (18%), compared to the national average of 15%. However, this region also witnessed a lower rate of non-drinkers, with just 47% abstaining from alcohol.

Economic Factors Influencing Drinking Habits

Additional analysis suggests economic factors may influence drinking habits. Households in the highest income bracket reported significantly higher drinking rates, with 22% consuming seven or more drinks weekly, in stark contrast to only 11% in the lowest income households. Incredibly, 67% of individuals in the lower income bracket reported not drinking at all in the past week. It appears that profession also plays a role, as those working in the trades (23%) and arts (22%) indicated higher consumption rates than the national average.

Shift Towards Cannabis Consumption

And as if that’s not enough to grab your attention—Statistics Canada highlights that while Canadians are turning away from alcohol, they are increasingly opting for cannabis instead. The legal cannabis market has grown remarkably, with sales soaring 15.8% year-over-year, reaching a whopping $4.7 billion in the 2022-23 fiscal year. That's approximately $150 spent per legal age Canadian.

Decline in Alcohol Sales

In a striking contrast, alcohol sales have seen a decline for the second consecutive year, with a decrease of 1.1%, translating to over 3.1 billion liters. It seems that Canadians are not only drinking less but are also pivoting towards healthier or alternative choices.

Conclusion

With these evolving drinking trends, what does the future hold for alcohol consumption in Canada? One thing is for certain: the preferences of Canadians are shifting dramatically!