【Aging, safety net and fiscal crisis in Japan】No.161: Percentage of adults drinking alcohol to the extent that it increases the risk of lifestyle diseases

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare annually investigates the percentage of adults drinking alcohol to the extent that it increases the risk of lifestyle diseases. As shown in Figure 1, the percentage for males has declined slightly from 15.3% in 2010 to 14.7% in 2017. However, the percentage for females is on an upward trend. The government has set the goal of reducing the percentage to 13% for males and 6.4% for females. Figure 2 shows the percentage in 2017 by age group and gender. Both males and females are noted to have the highest percentage in their 40s.

On the other hand, since alcohol is subject to special taxes, its consumption also affects the nation's finances. As shown in Figure 3, alcohol tax revenues declined from JPY 2.12 trillion in 1994 to JPY 1.32 trillion in 2016. This is because alcohol consumption per adult has decreased sharply, while the adult population has increased due to aging (Figure 4).

Figure 1: Percentage of adults drinking alcohol to the extent that it increases the risk of lifestyle diseases

Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Figure 2: Percentage in 2017 by age group of adults drinking alcohol to the extent that it increases the risk of lifestyle diseases

Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Figure 3: Alcohol tax revenues

Source: National Tax Agency

Figure 4: Adult population and alcohol consumption per adult

Source: National Tax Agency