Gender convergence in young adults' drinking in Australia

Despite recent declines in alcohol consumption for younger generations, risky drinking still peaks in young adulthood (18-29). While men have historically consumed more alcohol than women, there may be changes emerging in gendered patterns of drinking. This study investigated if a 'gender convergence' in young adults' drinking has occurred in Australia, whereby women and men's drinking rates have become more similar over time.

Three national Australian survey data sources were used to assess drinking trends from 2001 to 2023 in young adult women and men, aged 18-29. Gender convergence was tested for annual volume, past-year drinking status, and long-term, risky single-occasion, and high risky single-occasion drinking. Analyses included linear and logistic regressions with interactions between gender and year to assess gender differences in trends over time.

Drinking declined for young adults across all measures and surveys between 2001 and 2023. For all surveys, evidence for convergence in annual volume was found from 2013 to 2023. Some evidence for convergence was noted in recent years for past-year drinking (2019-2023) and risky drinking (2021-2022). For all measures, convergence occurred due to men's drinking decreasing at faster rates than women's.

This study provides evidence for gender convergences in young adults' drinking in Australia. Notably, this convergence occurs within the context of a broader drinking decline for both women and men, whereby men's drinking has decreased at a faster rate. These findings reflect emerging evidence from other high-income countries and suggest that future research understanding the drivers for men's steeper drinking declines is warranted.