The claim needs a comparison: less than older generations, or less than before? Some evidence supports lower drinking among younger adults, but a blanket claim that Gen Z is increasingly drinking less is misleading.
Gallup found that drinking participation among Americans aged 18–34 fell from 72% in 2001–2003 to 62% in 2021–2023, although that age group is not exclusively Gen Z. In contrast, IWSR's 2026 survey reported that legal-drinking-age Gen Z participation across 15 markets had risen from 66% three years earlier to 74%, still below millennials' 81%. Morning Consult independently reported increased weekly bar and restaurant drinking among U.S. Gen Z adults between late 2024 and mid-2026.
Participation, frequency and total alcohol consumed are different measures. These surveys also cover different populations, and a generation's composition changes as more members reach legal drinking age. The evidence supports specific comparisons, not a universal or continuously declining global trend.
Gen Z can drink less than millennials while becoming more likely to drink than it was a few years ago.
Gallup
The share of U.S. adults aged 18–34 reporting alcohol use fell from 72% in 2001–2003 to 62% in 2021–2023. This supports a narrower historical comparison, but does not isolate Gen Z.
Based on: Gallup
IWSR
Across 15 surveyed markets, legal-drinking-age Gen Z participation reached 74% in 2026, compared with 66% three years earlier. This challenges a continuing decline in participation, not necessarily a decline in total alcohol volume.
Based on: IWSR
IWSR
The same survey reported participation of 74% for Gen Z and 81% for millennials, supporting the narrower claim that a smaller share of Gen Z adults drank.
Based on: Morning Consult
Morning Consult
Weekly-or-more bar and restaurant drinking among Gen Z adults rose from approximately 26% in late 2024 to 32% in mid-2026. An increase also remained when comparing the fixed 21–29 age range.
Based on: Morning Consult
Was this check helpful?
Sign in required
Sign in required
Tuesday is not a universal cheaper-flight day. Booking day and travel day are different, and the cheapest averages vary by market and dataset.
No. Freezer burn damages quality through surface drying. Food safety still depends on proper handling, storage temperature and preparation.
No. The FDA allows hot food in the refrigerator and calls for dividing large amounts into shallow containers. Cooling promptly matters; waiting for room temperature is not required.