Alcohol Statistics: Ireland and the World
A quick visual summary of official alcohol statistics. Click any figure to jump to the full section, source, and organisation details.
Alcohol Statistics: Ireland and the World
Official Irish and international statistics, source links, and Mosaic notes on alcohol use, treatment, and recovery support.
CSO Irish Health Survey 2024 — Key Findings
The Central Statistics Office Irish Health Survey 2024 reports that 81.1% of adults drank alcohol in the previous 12 months, and 40.6% drank alcohol at least weekly.
The same key findings page also reports that 75.8% of adults considered their general health to be good or very good. This is self-reported health, meaning it is based on how people describe their own health.
Mosaic note: these figures suggest that self-reported health may not always show hidden difficulties such as regular alcohol use, mental health pressure, isolation, or people delaying support. A person may describe themselves as generally healthy while still drinking regularly or struggling privately.
Mosaic is interested in that space between “I am fine” and “I need help”, where private, non-judgemental support may help someone take the next safe step.
Source: Central Statistics Office, Irish Health Survey 2024 — Key Findings.
HRB Alcohol Treatment Demand in Ireland 2024
The Health Research Board reported that 8,745 cases were treated for problem alcohol use in Ireland in 2024. This was the highest alcohol treatment figure reported in over ten years.
The HRB bulletin covers treatment cases from 2017 to 2024. It reports that the proportion of alcohol-dependent treatment cases decreased from 72% in 2017 to 56% in 2024.
The report also shows that the median age of alcohol treatment cases was 43 years old, 60% of cases were male, almost half were unemployed, and 8% were homeless.
Among people who had consumed alcohol in the 30 days before treatment, one in two drank daily during that time.
Mosaic note: these figures show that alcohol treatment demand in Ireland remains serious. They also show why support may be needed before, during, and after formal treatment. Mosaic is not a treatment service, but it aims to offer private, everyday recovery support between meetings, appointments, and difficult moments.
Source: Health Research Board, Alcohol Treatment Demand in Ireland 2024. Published 31 July 2025.
HSE Weekly Low-Risk Alcohol Guidelines
The HSE says there is no level of alcohol use that is safe for health. Its weekly low-risk guidelines are intended to reduce the risk of alcohol-related harm.
The HSE low-risk weekly guidelines say adults should not drink more than 11 standard drinks per week for women and 17 standard drinks per week for men. The HSE also says drinks should be spread out across the week.
The HSE says people should have at least 2 to 3 alcohol-free days per week, and should not drink more than 6 standard drinks on any one occasion.
In Ireland, one standard drink contains 10 grams of pure alcohol. The HSE gives examples such as half a pint of beer, stout or cider, a single measure of spirits, a small glass of wine, or an alcopop as roughly one standard drink.
Mosaic note: these guidelines give a clear Irish reference point for understanding alcohol use. They may help someone compare their own drinking with official low-risk guidance before deciding whether to cut down, ask questions, or look for support.
Source: HSE, Weekly low-risk alcohol guidelines. Page last reviewed 29 July 2025.
WHO Alcohol Deaths Worldwide
The World Health Organization reports that around 2.6 million deaths worldwide were caused by alcohol consumption in 2019.
Of these deaths, 1.6 million were from noncommunicable diseases, 700,000 were from injuries, and 300,000 were from communicable diseases.
Mosaic note: this shows that alcohol harm is not a small or private issue. It is a major worldwide health problem.
Source: World Health Organization, Alcohol fact sheet. Published 28 June 2024.
WHO Alcohol Use Disorders
The World Health Organization estimates that 400 million people aged 15 years and older lived with alcohol use disorders.
Of these, 209 million people lived with alcohol dependence.
Mosaic note: this is one of the clearest reasons for private recovery support. A very large number of people may need support, structure, encouragement, and connection.
Source: World Health Organization, Alcohol fact sheet. Published 28 June 2024.
WHO Younger People and Alcohol Harm
The World Health Organization reports that people aged 20 to 39 were disproportionately affected by alcohol consumption.
In 2019, this age group had the highest proportion of alcohol-attributable deaths, at 13%.
Mosaic note: alcohol harm is not only an older-person issue. Younger adults are also seriously affected, which supports the need for accessible, private, everyday support.
Source: World Health Organization, Alcohol fact sheet. Published 28 June 2024.
WHO Alcohol Health Risks
The World Health Organization states that alcohol consumption plays a causal role in more than 200 diseases, injuries, and other health conditions.
Alcohol is linked with liver disease, heart disease, several cancers, depression, anxiety, alcohol use disorders, and injuries.
The World Health Organization also states that alcohol is an established carcinogen.
Mosaic note: this shows that alcohol harm is wider than drinking itself. It can affect physical health, mental health, safety, family life, and daily stability.
Source: World Health Organization, Alcohol fact sheet. Published 28 June 2024.
WHO Alcohol Treatment and Awareness Gap
The World Health Organization states that access to screening, brief intervention, treatment, and medication for people with hazardous alcohol use and alcohol use disorder remains very low.
In countries where data is available, the proportion of people with alcohol use disorders in contact with treatment services ranges from less than 1% to no more than 14%.
Mosaic note: this is a key reason for Mosaic. Low access is not only about services being unavailable. Many people may not know what help exists, where to start, who to contact, or what kind of support is suitable for them.
If someone breaks a leg, they usually know they need a hospital. But someone can struggle with alcohol for years without knowing that treatment centres, recovery meetings, support services, and practical help are out there. Mosaic aims to make support easier to find, easier to understand, and easier to reach.
Source: World Health Organization, Alcohol fact sheet. Published 28 June 2024.
CSO: People Consuming Alcohol at Least Weekly
The CSO Irish Health Survey 2025 reports that almost four in ten people, 38.9%, consumed alcohol at least once a week in 2025.
Mosaic note: regular drinking is common enough to justify clear, easy-to-find support information.
Source: CSO Irish Health Survey 2025 — Key Findings.
CSO: Adults Aged 55–64 Drinking Weekly
The CSO Irish Health Survey 2025 reports that adults aged 55 to 64 were the most likely age group to drink alcohol at least once a week, at 50.1%.
Mosaic note: alcohol support is not only a young-person issue. Older adults also need accessible support.
Source: CSO Irish Health Survey 2025 — Key Findings.
CSO: Young Adults Aged 15–24 Drinking Weekly
The CSO Irish Health Survey 2025 reports that young adults aged 15 to 24 were the least likely age group to drink alcohol weekly, at 24.1%.
Mosaic note: young adults may drink weekly less often, but other figures show that binge drinking and hazardous drinking still matter.
Source: CSO Irish Health Survey 2025 — Key Findings.
Healthy Ireland: Alcohol in the Past 12 Months
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 71% of individuals aged 15 or older consumed alcohol during the past 12 months.
Mosaic note: alcohol use is widespread, so support information should be easy to find and not hidden away.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Drinking at Least Once a Week
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 35% of people drink alcohol at least once a week.
Mosaic note: regular alcohol use is common in everyday life.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Drinking Multiple Times per Week
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 20% of people drink alcohol multiple times per week.
Mosaic note: some people may benefit from earlier prompts to notice patterns before crisis.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Binge Drinking
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 26% of the population are binge drinkers on a typical drinking occasion.
Mosaic note: binge drinking is common enough to deserve clear, plain-language support and signposting.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Men Binge Drinking
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that men are more likely than women to binge drink, with 40% of men binge drinking on a typical drinking occasion.
Mosaic note: targeted support needs to recognise who is most at risk without judgement.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Women Binge Drinking
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 12% of women binge drink on a typical drinking occasion.
Mosaic note: support should remain open to everyone, even where risk levels differ by sex.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Young People Binge Drinking
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 36% of 15 to 24 year olds binge drink on a typical drinking occasion.
Mosaic note: young people need accessible support and awareness early, not only after years of harm.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Older People Binge Drinking
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 7% of people aged 75 and over binge drink on a typical drinking occasion.
Mosaic note: lower risk in older age groups can help show where binge-drinking risk is concentrated.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Hazardous or Harmful Drinking Risk
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 20% of the population are at risk of hazardous or harmful drinking.
Mosaic note: this shows that a significant number of people may be in a risk zone before they ever ask for help.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: AUDIT Score 8–15
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 18% of the population have AUDIT scores between 8 and 15.
Mosaic note: this range can indicate hazardous alcohol use, showing why early awareness and signposting matter.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: AUDIT Score 16–19
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 1% of the population have AUDIT scores between 16 and 19, indicating higher risk.
Mosaic note: even a small percentage represents real people who may need clearer routes to support.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: AUDIT Score 20+
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 1% of the population have AUDIT scores of 20 or more, indicating possible alcohol dependence.
Mosaic note: this supports the need for simple, private pathways to information, recovery meetings, and support services.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Men at Risk of Hazardous Drinking
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 29% of men are at risk of hazardous drinking.
Mosaic note: this shows the importance of support that is direct, private, and easy to access without shame.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Women at Risk of Hazardous Drinking
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 11% of women are at risk of hazardous drinking.
Mosaic note: support should be available to anyone who needs it, not only the groups with the highest percentages.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Young Men at Risk
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that among people aged 15 to 24, 39% of men are at risk of hazardous drinking.
Mosaic note: this is a strong reason to make support visible early, before patterns become harder to change.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Young Women at Risk
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that among people aged 15 to 24, 25% of women are at risk of hazardous drinking.
Mosaic note: young women are also affected, so support should be broad, private, and accessible.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Students at Risk
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 46% of students are at risk of hazardous drinking.
Mosaic note: this is a very strong figure for showing why support needs to be available in everyday settings, including student life.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Population Drinking at a Harmful Level
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 36% of people drink alcohol at a harmful level.
Mosaic note: this shows that harmful drinking is not rare or hidden at the edges. It affects a large part of the population.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Drinkers Drinking at a Harmful Level
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that among drinkers, 51% drink alcohol at a harmful level.
Mosaic note: this is one of the clearest figures showing why people may need earlier support, even if drinking is seen as normal.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Men Drinking at a Harmful Level
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 47% of men drink alcohol at a harmful level.
Mosaic note: this shows the need for support that men can reach privately, quickly, and without feeling judged.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
Healthy Ireland: Women Drinking at a Harmful Level
Healthy Ireland Survey 2025 reports that 25% of women drink alcohol at a harmful level.
Mosaic note: harmful drinking affects women as well as men, so support information should be inclusive and easy to reach.
Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.
HRB: Increase in Alcohol Treatment Cases
The Health Research Board reported that alcohol treatment cases in Ireland increased by 7% in 2024 compared with 2023.
Mosaic note: rising treatment demand shows that alcohol support remains a serious and current issue in Ireland.
Source: Health Research Board, alcohol treatment figures 2024.
HRB: Alcohol Dependence in Treatment Cases in 2017
The Health Research Board reported that 72% of alcohol treatment cases were alcohol dependent in 2017.
Mosaic note: this shows that many people entering treatment were already experiencing serious alcohol dependence.
Source: Health Research Board, alcohol treatment figures 2024.
HRB: Alcohol Dependence in Treatment Cases in 2024
The Health Research Board reported that 56% of alcohol treatment cases were alcohol dependent in 2024.
Mosaic note: even with a decrease since 2017, more than half of alcohol treatment cases were still alcohol dependent.
Source: Health Research Board, alcohol treatment figures 2024.
HRB: Alcohol and Additional Drug Problems
The Health Research Board reported that nearly one in three alcohol treatment cases had a problem with other drugs as well as alcohol.
Mosaic note: alcohol problems can overlap with other substance use, so support needs to recognise that recovery may be complex.
Source: Health Research Board, alcohol treatment figures 2024.
HRB: Cocaine Among Additional Drug Problems
The Health Research Board reported that cocaine was the most common additional drug among alcohol treatment cases with another drug problem, at 71%.
Mosaic note: this shows that alcohol support may also need to point people toward wider addiction supports where needed.
Source: Health Research Board, alcohol treatment figures 2024.
HRB: Cocaine With Alcohol Treatment Cases in 2024
The Health Research Board reported 1,823 alcohol treatment cases in 2024 where cocaine was also reported.
Mosaic note: this supports the need for recovery signposting that can include alcohol, drugs, and mixed addiction patterns.
Source: Health Research Board, alcohol treatment figures 2024.
HSE: Alcohol-Free Days
The HSE weekly low-risk alcohol guidelines say people should have at least 2 to 3 alcohol-free days per week.
Mosaic note: alcohol-free days give people a simple way to notice drinking patterns and create space between drinking occasions.
Source: HSE weekly low-risk alcohol guidelines.
HSE: Maximum Drinks on One Occasion
The HSE weekly low-risk alcohol guidelines say people should not drink more than 6 standard drinks on any one occasion.
Mosaic note: this gives people a clear Irish reference point for recognising heavier drinking occasions.
Source: HSE weekly low-risk alcohol guidelines.
HSE: Standard Drink in Ireland
The HSE says that in Ireland, one standard drink contains 10 grams of pure alcohol.
Mosaic note: knowing what counts as a standard drink can help people understand their own alcohol use more clearly.
Source: HSE weekly low-risk alcohol guidelines.
HIQA: Alcohol-Attributable Deaths per Year
HIQA estimates that between 2022 and 2024, alcohol accounted for an average of 1,420 deaths per year in Ireland.
Mosaic note: this shows that alcohol harm in Ireland is not abstract. It is linked to real annual deaths.
Source: HIQA alcohol-attributable mortality and hospital admission modelling report.
HIQA: Alcohol-Attributable Hospital Admissions per Year
HIQA estimates that between 2022 and 2024, alcohol accounted for an average of 27,066 hospital admissions per year in Ireland.
Mosaic note: alcohol harm places pressure on people, families, hospitals, and wider health services.
Source: HIQA alcohol-attributable mortality and hospital admission modelling report.
HIQA: Share of All Deaths
HIQA estimates that alcohol accounted for 4.0% of all deaths in Ireland between 2022 and 2024.
Mosaic note: this shows that alcohol harm is part of Ireland’s wider public health picture.
Source: HIQA alcohol-attributable mortality and hospital admission modelling report.
HIQA: Chronic Condition Deaths
HIQA reports that most alcohol-attributable deaths were due to chronic conditions, including cancers. Chronic conditions accounted for 78% of alcohol-attributable deaths.
Mosaic note: alcohol harm is not only about immediate crisis. Long-term health damage is a major part of the problem.
Source: HIQA modelling report on alcohol-attributable mortality risks and hospital admission rates in Ireland.
HIQA: Deaths Among Lower-Consumption Male Drinkers
HIQA reports that 59% of alcohol-attributable deaths among male drinkers occurred among the 90% of male drinkers with the lowest consumption.
Mosaic note: alcohol harm does not only affect people at the very highest drinking levels. Support and awareness still matter across the wider drinking population.
Source: HIQA modelling report on alcohol-attributable mortality risks and hospital admission rates in Ireland.
HIQA: Deaths Among Lower-Consumption Female Drinkers
HIQA reports that 54% of alcohol-attributable deaths among female drinkers occurred among the 90% of female drinkers with the lowest consumption.
Mosaic note: this supports the need for plain, early information rather than waiting until alcohol harm is already severe.
Source: HIQA modelling report on alcohol-attributable mortality risks and hospital admission rates in Ireland.
WHO: World Population With Alcohol Use Disorders
The World Health Organization estimates that 400 million people, or 7% of the world’s population aged 15 years and older, lived with alcohol use disorders.
Mosaic note: this shows the worldwide scale of alcohol-related problems and the need for support that is easy to find and understand.
Source: World Health Organization, Alcohol fact sheet. Published 28 June 2024.
WHO: Alcohol Dependence Worldwide
The World Health Organization estimates that 209 million people, or 3.7% of the adult world population, lived with alcohol dependence.
Mosaic note: this is one of the strongest figures for showing why recovery support cannot be treated as a small issue.
Source: World Health Organization, Alcohol fact sheet. Published 28 June 2024.
WHO: Alcohol Deaths Among Ages 20–39
The World Health Organization reports that people aged 20 to 39 were disproportionately affected by alcohol consumption, with the highest proportion of alcohol-attributable deaths occurring in this age group at 13%.
Mosaic note: alcohol harm is not only an older-person issue. Younger adults also need visible and accessible support.
Source: World Health Organization, Alcohol fact sheet. Published 28 June 2024.
WHO: Alcohol and Over 200 Health Conditions
The World Health Organization states that alcohol consumption plays a causal role in more than 200 diseases, injuries, and other health conditions.
Mosaic note: alcohol harm is wider than drinking itself. It can affect physical health, mental health, safety, family life, and daily stability.
Source: World Health Organization, Alcohol fact sheet. Published 28 June 2024.
WHO: Alcohol-Attributed Cancer Deaths
The World Health Organization reports that in 2019, 401,000 cancer deaths were attributed to alcohol consumption.
WHO also states that 4.4% of cancers diagnosed globally in 2019 were attributed to alcohol consumption.
Mosaic note: this shows that alcohol harm includes long-term disease risk, not only immediate drinking-related crisis.
Source: World Health Organization, Alcohol fact sheet. Published 28 June 2024.
WHO: Alcohol-Related Road Crash Deaths
The World Health Organization reports that in 2019 there were 298,000 deaths from alcohol-related road crashes.
Mosaic note: alcohol harm can affect the wider public, not only the person drinking.
Source: World Health Organization, Alcohol fact sheet. Published 28 June 2024.
WHO: Road Crash Deaths Caused by Someone Else’s Drinking
The World Health Organization reports that in 2019, 156,000 deaths from alcohol-related road crashes were caused by someone else’s drinking.
Mosaic note: this shows that alcohol harm can reach families, communities, and strangers as well as the person drinking.
Source: World Health Organization, Alcohol fact sheet. Published 28 June 2024.
WHO Europe: Alcohol Deaths in the European Region
WHO Europe reports that alcohol consumption causes nearly 800,000 deaths every year in the WHO European Region.
Mosaic note: Europe carries a serious alcohol harm burden, which supports the need for clear and accessible recovery information.
Source: WHO Europe, Alcohol use fact sheet.
WHO Europe: Daily Alcohol-Related Deaths
WHO Europe reports nearly 800,000 alcohol-related deaths every year in the WHO European Region. That is about 2,191 deaths per day.
Mosaic note: breaking the annual figure down by day makes the scale of alcohol harm easier to understand.
Source: WHO Europe, Alcohol use fact sheet.
WHO Europe: Adults With Alcohol Use Disorders
WHO Europe reports that one in eleven adults in the WHO European Region has an alcohol use disorder.
Mosaic note: this shows that alcohol problems are common enough that people should not have to search hard to find support.
Source: WHO Europe, Alcohol use fact sheet.
Important Note
Mosaic does not provide emergency services, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact emergency services.