[Changes in binge drinking among adolescents and young adults in Germany depending on educational level and migration...

Studies show that the prevalence of binge drinking among young people in Germany is declining overall. This change is usually studied in more detail based on age and gender. This paper expands on these analyses and examines whether the decline in binge drinking among young people differs as a function of educational level and migration background.

Based on representative surveys conducted by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), 30-day prevalences of binge drinking were determined for Germany between 2008 and 2019 for male and female 12- to 17-year-old adolescents and 18- to 25-year-old young adults. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate trend patterns for the period from 2008 to 2019. This was also done as a function of education level and migration background.

Across all surveys, more young adults than adolescents, more male than female young people, and more young people without a migration background get drunk. Between 2008 and 2019, the 30-day prevalence of binge drinking decreased overall among adolescents (male: from 23.0 to 16.4%; female: from 17.7 to 10.7%) and young men (from 53.0 to 43.9%), and it did not change statistically significantly among young women (2008: 28.1%; 2019: 24.5%). The trend analyses depending on the level of education and migration background show that at least among young women without a (technical) higher education entrance qualification there is a decrease in binge drinking.

The decline in binge drinking may differ depending on social characteristics. Such differences should be taken into account in the prevention of binge drinking. In particular, young women with a higher level of education must be reached with prevention offers.