The use and abuse of alcohol in Italy

In 2010 the percentage of the population aged 11 and over who had consumed at least one alcoholic drink during the year was 65.7%, lower than in 2009 (68.5%). 26.3% of the population (14,126,000 people) drank alcoholic beverages daily, while 38.4% consumed alcohol at least once outside meals.

53.3% of people aged 11 and over drink wine, 45.9% drink beer, and 39.9% drink alcoholic aperitfs, digestive liqueurs, spirits or liqueurs. 24.1% drink wine every day, while 4.3% of the reference population drink beer.

During the last 10 years there has been an increase in the number of occasional consumers among young people, those who drink outside meals and those who consume alcoholic beverages other than wine and beer, while the number of daily consumers and those who only drink wine and beer has fallen.