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Alcohol Deaths This Year

Approximately 10,000 people die from alcohol-specific causes in the UK each year, according to ONS Alcohol-Specific Death statistics. This equates to approximately 27 alcohol-related deaths per day. Alcohol-specific deaths — those directly attributable to alcohol such as alcoholic liver disease — have increased in recent years, with the ONS reporting record levels in 2020 and 2021 partly related to COVID-19 lockdown drinking patterns.

There are approximately 920,000 alcohol-related hospital admissions in England each year, according to NHS Digital statistics. Alcohol costs the NHS approximately £3.5 billion per year. The wider economic and social cost of alcohol harm — including crime, workplace absence and family impacts — is estimated at approximately £27 billion per year by the Institute of Alcohol Studies.

Approximately 40 billion units of alcohol are consumed in the UK each year. The NHS recommends that adults drink no more than 14 units per week — equivalent to approximately 6 pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of wine. Approximately 24% of adults in England drink at hazardous or harmful levels according to NHS statistics.

Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) — setting a floor price per unit of alcohol — has been introduced in Scotland (since 2018), Wales and Northern Ireland. Evidence from Scotland suggests MUP has reduced alcohol consumption and hospital admissions among high-risk drinkers. England has not yet introduced MUP, though it has been under consideration.

Alcohol-related domestic abuse is a significant concern. Research consistently shows that alcohol is a factor in approximately 40-50% of domestic abuse incidents. Alcohol also features prominently in violent crime — the Crime Survey for England and Wales finds that victims perceive their attacker to be under the influence of alcohol in approximately 53% of violent incidents.

Source: NHS Digital / ONS Alcohol-Specific Deaths / OHID · Data year: 2023/24 · All figures are statistical estimates calculated from official annual publications

How many people die from alcohol in the UK each year?

Approximately 10,000 people die from alcohol-specific causes in the UK each year according to ONS statistics — approximately 27 per day. Alcoholic liver disease is the most common cause. Alcohol-specific deaths reached record levels in 2020 and 2021, with evidence linking increased drinking during COVID-19 lockdowns to subsequent liver disease deaths.

How much does alcohol harm cost the NHS?

Alcohol costs the NHS approximately £3.5 billion per year according to NHS Digital and OHID analysis, funding approximately 920,000 hospital admissions linked to alcohol annually. The wider cost of alcohol harm to society — including crime, lost productivity, family and social care costs — is estimated at approximately £27 billion per year by the Institute of Alcohol Studies.

What is the recommended alcohol limit in the UK?

UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that both men and women drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, spread over three or more days, with several alcohol-free days each week. 14 units is equivalent to approximately 6 pints of average-strength (4%) beer or 10 small (125ml) glasses of wine at 13% ABV. Approximately 24% of adults in England drink above these guidelines.