Global alcohol intake is rising — and the trend will likely continue

Global targets for reducing harmful alcohol intake are unlikely to be met, according to a new long-term analysis of data from 149 countries. The WHO outlined goals to reduce alcohol intake by 10% by 2025, but the new study suggests that alcohol intake has increased by 70% between 1990 and 2017. If the current trends continue, the authors project that half of all people by 2030 will drink alcohol, and roughly a quarter will binge drink once a month. The increase will also largely be due to people drinking more alcohol per volume — nearly 20% more by 2030 — than more people drinking. Alcohol is now the seventh-leading risk factor for disease worldwide, and so the authors call for more effective alcohol policies to help keep the growing trend in check