Brits consuming an average of two alcohol drinks per day could save over £3,000 a year simply by giving up alcohol, Moneyzine.com has revealed. For those consuming the NHS recommendation of no more than 14 units per week, savings up to £2,360 could still be made.
“Britain’s love of a pint is famed across the globe, but it’s hard to justify a couple of beers a day when you’re trying to cut down on living expenses. This revelation highlights an exciting opportunity for individuals to make a significant impact on their financial well-being.
By exploring alternative options and considering their spending habits, beer enthusiasts can unlock remarkable savings - whether that’s ditching the booze altogether or simply modifying their habits.”Jonathan Merry
How Much Do Brits Spend On Alcohol?
The average British household spends £10 per week on alcoholic drinks. Over the course of a year, this equates to £520. This figure is more than the average weekly spend on fresh fruit and vegetables combined (£4.40 and £5 respectively).
| UK Household Alcohol Spend | Weekly | Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol (All) | £10.00 | £520.00 |
| Beer | £2.80 | £145.60 |
| Wine | £4.90 | £254.80 |
| Spirits and Liqueurs | £2.30 | £119.60 |
Source: Office for National Statistics - Living Costs and Food Survey | Updated May 2023
Average Household Spend On Alcohol By Region
On average, people in the North West spend more per week on alcohol at home than any other region, at £10.90. Londoners spend the least on alcohol at home than any other region, at £7.40.
Although London's average spend on alcohol at home is surprisingly low compared to other regions, it is important to remember that London has the highest concentration of bars and pubs than anywhere else in the country, so it’s possible that Londoners are quenching their thirst out of the house rather than buying alcohol to stay in.
| Alcohol Spend by Region | Weekly | Annually |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9.00 | £468.00 |
| North East | £8.70 | £452.40 |
| North West | £10.90 | £566.80 |
| Yorkshire & Humber | £10.30 | £535.60 |
| East Midlands | £9.80 | £509.60 |
| West Midlands | £9.30 | £483.60 |
| East | £10.50 | £546.00 |
| London | £7.40 | £384.80 |
| South East | £11.10 | £577.20 |
| South West | £10.70 | £556.40 |
| Wales | £10.20 | £530.40 |
| Scotland | £10.20 | £530.40 |
| Northern Ireland | £9.80 | £509.60 |
What’s The Average Cost Of Alcohol In The UK?
According to the latest data available from the ONS, the current average cost of a pint in the UK is £4.54. It’s worth noting that alcohol duty prices are due to rise on 1st August, so these prices are only likely to go up.
A small (175ml) glass of wine also costs approximately £4.54, while spirits and liqueurs manufactured in the UK cost an average of £9.60 per litre.
| Type of alcohol | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pint* | £4.54 |
| Wine (175ml glass)** | £4.54 |
| Spirits and liqueurs manufactured in UK (per litre) | £9.60 |
*Costs as of May 2023 (ONS) | Spirits prices from 2021
How Much Alcohol Do Brits Drink?
DrinkAware, an independent UK charity, found that approximately 57% of adults aged 16 and over consume up to 14 units of alcohol per week in England and Northern Ireland, rising to 60% in Scotland and Wales. According to the NHS, 14 units are the equivalent of six pints, or 10 small glasses of wine.
A smaller study from Delamere revealed even more shocking statistics. In the survey, 1 in 5 Brits reported drinking two alcoholic drinks every day on average. Meanwhile, 66% of Brits surveyed said that their average alcohol intake increased while holidaying abroad.
How Much Could Brits Save By Giving Up Alcohol?
Using the data provided above, Moneyzine.com calculated that the average UK household could save £43.30 per month, or £520 annually by giving up alcohol altogether.
Perhaps even more shockingly, one person drinking up to 10 small glasses of wine per week (14 units) could save up to £2,360 a year by going sober. Even participating in one month of sobriety, such as the popular Sober October or Dry January campaigns, could save £196 per person, or £137.66 for a beer drinker per month.
If they drank two pints of beer a day, the 20% of Brits who drink two alcoholic beverages a day could save an impressive £275.41 per month, or a whopping £3,305 per year. To put that into perspective, with the average energy bill capped at £2,500, some Brits could completely cover their energy bill simply by giving up drinking.
| Weekly | Monthly | Annually | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average household | £10 | £43.30 | £520 |
| 14 units per week (beer) | £31.78 | £137.66 | £1,652 |
| 14 units per week (wine) | £45.40 | £196 | £2,360 |
| 2 drinks (pints) a day | £63.56 | £275.41 | £3,305 |
Generational Differences
The majority of people reportedly drinking alcohol a couple of times a week or daily are in the 65 or older demographic, followed by the 55 - 64 age group, according to data from Statista.
In contrast, 18 to 24 year olds were most likely to say they don’t drink alcoholic drinks (30%), with millennials most likely to say that they either drink once or twice a month, less than once a month, or not at all.
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