The French and Alcohol

Although the total volume of pure alcohol consumed in France (11.7 liters per capita among those aged 15 and older in 2017^¹) has been declining since the 1960s, primarily due to a decrease in daily wine consumption, France remains among the world’s heaviest alcohol-consuming countries, ranking sixth among the 34 OECD countries².

Map of Alcohol Consumption by Region

7.1% to 12.6% of adults consume alcohol daily, depending on the region (national average: 10.0%)

Alcohol consumption is significantly less frequent in Île-de-France (7.1%), Normandy (7.9%), and Pays de la Loire (8.1%), as well as in all the overseas departments and regions (DROM). Guadeloupe (6.9%), French Guiana (5.2%), Martinique (7.0%), and Réunion (5.8%) show prevalence rates comparable to one another and significantly lower than the average for metropolitan France (source: 2014 DOM Health Barometer). The Hauts-de-France (11.5%), Nouvelle-Aquitaine (12.3%), and Occitanie (12.6%) regions stand out for more frequent daily alcohol consumption.

The sharpest declines in daily alcohol consumption

Between 2000 and 2017, the sharpest declines in daily alcohol consumption were observed in Occitanie (-15.6 percentage points, 13.4% in 2017 compared to 29.0% in 2000), in Nouvelle-Aquitaine (-14.6 percentage points, 12.9% compared to 27.5%), in Île-de-France (-13.8 percentage points, 6.1% compared to 19.9%), Pays de la Loire (-13 percentage points, 8.2% compared to 21.2%).

Weekly alcohol consumption among 18- to 30-year-olds

Weekly alcohol consumption among 18- to 30-year-olds stands at 32.5% for metropolitan France and ranges from 23.2% to 43.5% depending on the region. It is significantly lower in Hauts-de-France (23.2%) and higher in four regions: Brittany (43.5%), Pays de la Loire (40.7%), Martinique (47.7%), and French Guiana (43.4%).

Monthly heavy drinking episodes (API)

Monthly API (6 or more drinks on a single occasion) varies across regions of mainland France, ranging from 13.9% in Île-de-France to 20.5% in Brittany, with the average for mainland France at 16.2%. Only Île-de-France (13.9%) had a significantly lower prevalence compared to the average of the other regions, while Brittany had a significantly higher prevalence (20.5%). Prevalence rates in Guadeloupe (10.5%), Réunion (11.9%), and French Guiana (13.0%) were significantly lower than the average for metropolitan France.

The metropolitan regions with the largest increases in monthly API were Brittany (+3.4 percentage points, rising from 16.9% in 2005 to 20.3% in 2017), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (+2.4 percentage points, rising from 14.9% in 2005 to 17.3% in 2017), Normandy (+2.1 percentage points, rising from 13.9% in 2005 to 16% in 2017), Île-de-France (+1.7 percentage points, rising from 12.7% in 2005 to 14.4% in 2017) and PACA (+1 percentage point, rising from 14.2% in 2005 to 15.8% in 2017).

These data confirm the trends observed across Europe. Although European countries retain specific cultural characteristics—both in terms of drinking preferences and drinking patterns (a “Latin” model of regular alcohol consumption versus a “Nordic” and “Anglo-Saxon” model of less frequent but heavier drinking)—drinking behaviors have tended to become more uniform over the past few decades, both among the general population and among adolescents. Thus, in France, there is a decline in regular consumption and an increase in heavy occasional drinking.

Wine, beer, or spirits: What are the regional preferences?

Weekly consumption varies considerably by region depending on the type of alcohol (wine, beer, spirits, other types of alcohol). The north and east of mainland France tend to consume more beer, the south more wine, and the west more spirits and other types of alcohol.

Emergency room visits directly related to alcohol: the short-term effects of alcohol measured for the first time

On a daily average, and depending on the region, the number of emergency room visits directly related to alcohol are:

• for men: between 1.2% and 3.1% (except Mayotte: 0.2% and Réunion: 7.3%).

• for women: between 0.3% and 1.4% (with the exception of Mayotte).

Across all genders, people aged 45–60 are more likely to be affected by these alcohol-related emergency room visits. The majority of these cases involve acute alcohol intoxication.

Combating Alcohol-Related Harm: The Work of Santé publique France

Alcohol consumption is a major public health issue and ranks among the top three causes of preventable mortality, with 41,000 deaths in 2015. Alcohol is therefore one of the key focuses of our program.

Santé publique France produces both observational and surveillance data, as well as national prevention initiatives tailored to different audiences. Its Alcohol Program aims to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with alcohol consumption in France.

Alcohol means a maximum of 2 drinks per day, and not every day

In 2017, scientific research conducted by Santé publique France and the National Cancer Institute led to the development of new guidelines for lower-risk consumption: if you drink alcohol, no more than 10 drinks per week, no more than 2 drinks per day, and days during the week without drinking.

These guidelines now allow French people to make an informed choice about lower-risk consumption for their health, knowing that the health risks of alcohol consumption begin with the very first drink.

A major public awareness campaign was launched last March and April to inform the French public about these guidelines and explain the rationale behind them: “For your health, limit alcohol to a maximum of 2 drinks per day, and not every day.” This campaign will be relaunched in 2020.

Targeted initiatives for different audiences

Santé publique France also carries out specific initiatives targeting pregnant women and young people:

Since 2015, Santé publique France has launched an annual campaign in September focused on alcohol consumption during pregnancy to help women and their families understand and adopt the public health message: “As a precaution: zero alcohol during pregnancy.”

Awareness campaigns, particularly on social media, are targeted at young people, who are especially affected by the “binge-drinking phenomenon.” The latest campaign, “Friends at Night Too,” conducted in September 2019, aimed to reinforce protective behaviors among peers.