Less alcohol, more hospital admissions: France’s 2023 figures

A widespread decline in consumption

According to the latest report from the French Observatory for Drugs and Drug Addiction (OFDT), sales of pure alcohol fell by 3.8% in 2023, reaching an average of 10.35 litres per inhabitant aged over 15.

This drop is observed primarily in the volumes of:

• Wine (-4.2%), although it remains the most consumed alcoholic beverage, accounting for 52% of sales
• Spirits (-3.9%)
• Beer (-2.6%), which now accounts for 25% of sales— a figure that is rising in the long term

This trend is part of a decline in regular consumption: only 7% of adults still consume alcohol daily, compared to 10.6% in 2017. Among young people, the figures are even more striking: daily consumption has fallen by 31% since 2017.

In 2023, average alcohol consumption in France stood at 10.35 litres of pure alcohol per capita (aged 15 and older), equivalent to approximately 2.27 standard drinks per day.

Risky consumption patterns

However, the drop in volume does not mean consumption has become more responsible.

The OFDT report highlights a cultural shift: the so-called "Mediterranean" model (small, regular amounts with meals) is gradually giving way to a "Nordic" model, where alcohol is consumed in large quantities but less frequently, typically in a social or festive setting.

This phenomenon, known as binge drinking, particularly affects young people aged 18 to 24, 24% of whom report having consumed six or more drinks on a single occasion in the previous month. These practices increase immediate risks (acute intoxication, accidents) and long-term risks (dependence, chronic diseases), even with lower overall consumption.

Rising pressure on hospitals

In 2023, 307,676 patients (595,326 hospital stays) were hospitalised for alcohol-related disorders or alcohol dependence, representing a 4.1% increase compared to the previous year.

The most frequent diagnoses include:

• Dependence and withdrawal: 22.4% of admissions;
• Long-term effects of alcohol consumption: 11.3%;
• Acute intoxication: 6%, a figure that has declined over the decade.

These hospitalisations primarily involve men (73%) with an average age of 56. This figure illustrates two realities: on the one hand, this generation's greater exposure to the regular drinking habits of the past, and on the other, the long-term harmful effects of alcohol. Indeed, chronic consumption gradually deteriorates health, leading to cardiovascular diseases, cancers, liver disorders, and even severe addictions that require hospital care at an advanced stage. These conditions often take years to fully manifest, explaining why this age group is particularly affected today.

Inflation: an overlooked factor in the decline of alcohol consumption in France

Record inflation in 2023 (+7.1%) altered consumer habits. While alcohol sales fell, this decline is partly explained by varying price increases:

• Wine: +2.3%
• Spirits: +5.8%
• Beer: +0.2%

These price differences, combined with taxation proportional to alcohol content, have encouraged a shift towards the least heavily taxed drinks, such as beer, but did not reduce risky behaviours.

Preventing harmful trends: a priority issue

Shifting behaviours highlight gaps in prevention and health education. While overall consumption is declining, the concentration of risks during episodes of heavy drinking calls for a redesign of prevention messages, particularly for young adults.

Improved access to care for dependent individuals, combined with fairer economic regulation, could also reduce hospitalisations.

A drop in alcohol-related road fatalities

Despite a rise in alcohol-related hospitalisations, a positive note emerges from the 2023 data: the number of deaths in fatal accidents involving a driver under the influence of alcohol fell by 7.5% compared to the previous year. This decline reflects stepped-up roadside checks, with a 2.8% increase in screening tests conducted in 2023.

This decrease, which contrasts with other indicators, underscores the impact of road safety policies on risky behaviours. Nevertheless, alcohol remains a factor in 24% of fatal accidents, serving as a reminder (if one were needed) of an underlying problem that persists.