|
New Zealand adults who drink alcohol, but have not had any heavy drinking occasions in the last four weeks.
This is the percentage of the population affected (that is, the unadjusted prevalence in the specified population).
Estimated numbers are rounded to the nearest 1,000 people.
This chart presents unadjusted results; that is the overall prevalence estimate for each survey year. Data points only appear where there is data available.
The comparison between years is only available where the same questions were asked in more than one survey year.
Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey
Notes:
This table shows the percentage of the population affected.
Total |
Men |
Women |
Estimated number of adults
|
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % | (.95CI) | % | (.95CI) | % | (.95CI) | Total | (.95CI) | |
| Total | 59.6 | ( 57.1 - 62.1 ) | 55.4 | ( 51.6 - 59.3 ) | 63.8 | ( 60.6 - 66.9 ) | 2,437,000 | ( 2,335,000 - 2,538,000 ) |
| Age group (years) | ||||||||
| 18-24 | 36.0 | ( 26.3 - 46.7 ) | 30.4 | ( 19.5 - 43.2 ) | 41.6 | ( 28.1 - 56.1 ) | 173,000 | ( 126,000 - 224,000 ) |
| 25-44 | 58.8 | ( 54.7 - 62.8 ) | 53.6 | ( 46.7 - 60.4 ) | 64.1 | ( 58.8 - 69.2 ) | 826,000 | ( 768,000 - 882,000 ) |
| 45-64 | 64.9 | ( 60.2 - 69.4 ) | 60.8 | ( 54 - 67.3 ) | 68.6 | ( 62.4 - 74.3 ) | 807,000 | ( 748,000 - 863,000 ) |
| 65+ | 67.9 | ( 62.9 - 72.7 ) | 66.5 | ( 58.2 - 74.2 ) | 69.3 | ( 63.5 - 74.6 ) | 580,000 | ( 537,000 - 620,000 ) |
| Ethnicity (total) | ||||||||
| Māori | 46.8 | ( 43.2 - 50.5 ) | 38.1 | ( 32.4 - 44 ) | 55.1 | ( 50 - 60.1 ) | 276,000 | ( 254,000 - 297,000 ) |
| Pacific | 40.3 | ( 34.4 - 46.4 ) | 40.2 | ( 31.6 - 49.3 ) | 40.0 | ( 31.3 - 49.3 ) | 114,000 | ( 97,000 - 131,000 ) |
| Asian | 54.9 | ( 46.3 - 63.2 ) | 59.9 | ( 46.5 - 72.4 ) | 49.9 | ( 38.7 - 61.2 ) | 384,000 | ( 324,000 - 442,000 ) |
| NZ European / Other | 64.4 | ( 61.6 - 67.1 ) | 57.8 | ( 53.4 - 62.1 ) | 71.0 | ( 67.3 - 74.5 ) | 1,851,000 | ( 1,770,000 - 1,929,000 ) |
| Neighbourhood deprivation | ||||||||
| Least (1-3) | 65.9 | ( 61.6 - 70 ) | 58.8 | ( 50.7 - 66.6 ) | 73.1 | ( 67.1 - 78.6 ) | 860,000 | ( 805,000 - 914,000 ) |
| Mid (4-7) | 62.5 | ( 58.5 - 66.4 ) | 58.7 | ( 53.1 - 64.1 ) | 66.3 | ( 60.9 - 71.4 ) | 1,085,000 | ( 1,016,000 - 1,152,000 ) |
| Most (8-10) | 47.0 | ( 41.4 - 52.7 ) | 45.6 | ( 38.1 - 53.3 ) | 48.4 | ( 41.3 - 55.5 ) | 492,000 | ( 433,000 - 551,000 ) |
Total |
Men |
Women |
Estimated number of adults
|
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % | (.95CI) | % | (.95CI) | % | (.95CI) | Total | (.95CI) | |
| Total | 50.8 | ( 48.7 - 53 ) | 50.1 | ( 46.7 - 53.6 ) | 51.5 | ( 48.8 - 54.3 ) | 1,914,000 | ( 1,834,000 - 1,994,000 ) |
| Age group (years) | ||||||||
| 18-24 | 37.9 | ( 30.9 - 45.2 ) | 45.0 | ( 34.7 - 55.6 ) | 29.8 | ( 20.9 - 40 ) | 196,000 | ( 160,000 - 234,000 ) |
| 25-44 | 47.0 | ( 43.1 - 50.9 ) | 46.2 | ( 39.8 - 52.8 ) | 47.7 | ( 42.7 - 52.7 ) | 572,000 | ( 525,000 - 620,000 ) |
| 45-64 | 55.8 | ( 52.1 - 59.4 ) | 49.1 | ( 43.1 - 55.2 ) | 61.7 | ( 56.7 - 66.5 ) | 667,000 | ( 623,000 - 711,000 ) |
| 65+ | 63.8 | ( 59.2 - 68.2 ) | 65.7 | ( 58.6 - 72.2 ) | 62.0 | ( 56.1 - 67.6 ) | 435,000 | ( 403,000 - 465,000 ) |
| Ethnicity (total) | ||||||||
| Māori | 34.2 | ( 29.6 - 39.2 ) | 31.7 | ( 24.1 - 40.1 ) | 36.6 | ( 30.9 - 42.5 ) | 170,000 | ( 147,000 - 194,000 ) |
| Pacific | 26.0 | ( 20.8 - 31.8 ) | 23.8 | ( 16.3 - 32.7 ) | 28.4 | ( 21.4 - 36.2 ) | 66,000 | ( 53,000 - 80,000 ) |
| Asian | 42.4 | ( 36.5 - 48.5 ) | 51.2 | ( 41.5 - 60.8 ) | 34.0 | ( 26.1 - 42.6 ) | 232,000 | ( 199,000 - 265,000 ) |
| NZ European / Other | 55.6 | ( 53.1 - 58.2 ) | 53.0 | ( 49 - 57 ) | 58.2 | ( 54.9 - 61.4 ) | 1,591,000 | ( 1,517,000 - 1,665,000 ) |
| Neighbourhood deprivation | ||||||||
| Least (1-3) | 58.8 | ( 54.6 - 63 ) | 57.2 | ( 50.4 - 63.8 ) | 60.3 | ( 54.7 - 65.7 ) | 685,000 | ( 635,000 - 733,000 ) |
| Mid (4-7) | 52.1 | ( 48.6 - 55.6 ) | 53.0 | ( 47.2 - 58.7 ) | 51.3 | ( 46.5 - 56.1 ) | 850,000 | ( 794,000 - 907,000 ) |
| Most (8-10) | 39.1 | ( 35.2 - 43.1 ) | 37.6 | ( 32.4 - 43.1 ) | 40.7 | ( 35.2 - 46.3 ) | 379,000 | ( 341,000 - 417,000 ) |
Total |
Men |
Women |
Estimated number of adults
|
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % | (.95CI) | % | (.95CI) | % | (.95CI) | Total | (.95CI) | |
| Total | 48.0 | ( 45 - 51 ) | 44.3 | ( 40.2 - 48.5 ) | 51.5 | ( 47.1 - 55.8 ) | 1,729,000 | ( 1,621,000 - 1,837,000 ) |
| Age group (years) | ||||||||
| 18-24 | 27.6 | ( 18.8 - 37.8 ) | 22.6 | ( 11.7 - 37.1 ) | 32.2 | ( 19.5 - 47.1 ) | 133,000 | ( 91,000 - 182,000 ) |
| 25-44 | 41.5 | ( 37 - 46.1 ) | 36.4 | ( 29.2 - 44.1 ) | 46.2 | ( 39.7 - 52.8 ) | 482,000 | ( 430,000 - 535,000 ) |
| 45-64 | 56.8 | ( 52.1 - 61.4 ) | 53.2 | ( 45.9 - 60.3 ) | 60.2 | ( 53.6 - 66.5 ) | 621,000 | ( 570,000 - 671,000 ) |
| 65+ | 64.4 | ( 58.6 - 69.9 ) | 66.0 | ( 58.2 - 73.2 ) | 63.0 | ( 55.1 - 70.3 ) | 451,000 | ( 410,000 - 490,000 ) |
| Ethnicity (total) | ||||||||
| Māori | 33.7 | ( 28.2 - 39.5 ) | 31.4 | ( 23.1 - 40.7 ) | 35.8 | ( 28.7 - 43.3 ) | 159,000 | ( 133,000 - 186,000 ) |
| Pacific | 26.9 | ( 20.6 - 33.9 ) | 24.7 | ( 16.2 - 35 ) | 29.0 | ( 20 - 39.3 ) | 60,000 | ( 46,000 - 76,000 ) |
| Asian | 36.0 | ( 26.5 - 46.3 ) | 34.6 | ( 22.8 - 47.9 ) | 37.2 | ( 22.9 - 53.5 ) | 166,000 | ( 122,000 - 214,000 ) |
| NZ European / Other | 53.4 | ( 50 - 56.7 ) | 48.8 | ( 43.8 - 53.8 ) | 57.7 | ( 52.9 - 62.4 ) | 1,464,000 | ( 1,372,000 - 1,555,000 ) |
| Neighbourhood deprivation | ||||||||
| Least (1-3) | 56.8 | ( 49.4 - 64 ) | 50.1 | ( 40.6 - 59.6 ) | 63.3 | ( 52.7 - 72.9 ) | 650,000 | ( 565,000 - 732,000 ) |
| Mid (4-7) | 48.0 | ( 44.3 - 51.7 ) | 46.0 | ( 39.6 - 52.5 ) | 50.0 | ( 44.5 - 55.6 ) | 747,000 | ( 689,000 - 805,000 ) |
| Most (8-10) | 35.9 | ( 30.4 - 41.6 ) | 32.4 | ( 25.3 - 40.1 ) | 38.8 | ( 31 - 47 ) | 317,000 | ( 269,000 - 367,000 ) |
Total |
Men |
Women |
Estimated number of adults
|
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % | (.95CI) | % | (.95CI) | % | (.95CI) | Total | (.95CI) | |
| Total | 44.3 | ( 41.5 - 47.1 ) | 41.1 | ( 37.3 - 44.9 ) | 47.4 | ( 43.5 - 51.2 ) | 1,551,000 | ( 1,453,000 - 1,649,000 ) |
| Age group (years) | ||||||||
| 18-24 | 24.2 | ( 16.5 - 33.5 ) | 16.3 | ( 8.5 - 27.2 ) | 31.6 | ( 20.2 - 44.9 ) | 116,000 | ( 79,000 - 160,000 ) |
| 25-44 | 38.4 | ( 33.8 - 43.2 ) | 31.3 | ( 24.6 - 38.6 ) | 44.9 | ( 39 - 51 ) | 440,000 | ( 387,000 - 495,000 ) |
| 45-64 | 56.0 | ( 51.1 - 60.8 ) | 55.5 | ( 48.2 - 62.7 ) | 56.4 | ( 49.9 - 62.8 ) | 621,000 | ( 567,000 - 674,000 ) |
| 65+ | 56.6 | ( 50.9 - 62.1 ) | 61.3 | ( 53.4 - 68.8 ) | 51.9 | ( 43.7 - 60 ) | 352,000 | ( 317,000 - 387,000 ) |
| Ethnicity (total) | ||||||||
| Māori | 29.6 | ( 24.6 - 35 ) | 26.0 | ( 19.6 - 33.4 ) | 32.9 | ( 25.8 - 40.5 ) | 134,000 | ( 111,000 - 158,000 ) |
| Pacific | 26.8 | ( 21.2 - 33 ) | 27.1 | ( 18.9 - 36.7 ) | 26.4 | ( 19.4 - 34.5 ) | 55,000 | ( 44,000 - 68,000 ) |
| Asian | 31.0 | ( 22.7 - 40.3 ) | 35.9 | ( 21.4 - 52.6 ) | 26.6 | ( 17.9 - 36.8 ) | 123,000 | ( 90,000 - 159,000 ) |
| NZ European / Other | 48.0 | ( 45 - 51.1 ) | 43.8 | ( 39.7 - 48 ) | 51.8 | ( 47.3 - 56.3 ) | 1,367,000 | ( 1,280,000 - 1,454,000 ) |
| Neighbourhood deprivation | ||||||||
| Least (1-3) | 50.0 | ( 43.3 - 56.7 ) | 45.7 | ( 36.6 - 55.1 ) | 54.3 | ( 45 - 63.4 ) | 475,000 | ( 411,000 - 538,000 ) |
| Mid (4-7) | 46.8 | ( 42.4 - 51.2 ) | 44.1 | ( 38.3 - 50 ) | 49.2 | ( 43.3 - 55.1 ) | 701,000 | ( 635,000 - 768,000 ) |
| Most (8-10) | 35.7 | ( 30.7 - 40.9 ) | 32.5 | ( 25.9 - 39.7 ) | 38.6 | ( 32 - 45.6 ) | 375,000 | ( 323,000 - 430,000 ) |
The estimated number of people is the value that is inferred for that population based on data collected from the survey sample. Estimated numbers are rounded to the nearest 1,000 people.
Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey
Notes:
Adjusted prevalence ratios are used to compare the results for different population subgroups. An adjusted ratio above 1 shows that the indicator is more likely, and an adjusted ratio below 1 shows the indicator is less likely, in the group of interest (e.g. Māori) than the reference group (e.g. non-Māori), after adjusting for demographic variables that could influence the association.
Kaupapa Māori consistent data analysis planning was supported by Māori and Pasifika advisors at Health New Zealand. In alignment with Kaupapa Māori research and Te Tiriti ō Waitangi principles, comparisons were made between ethnic groupings in order to identify ethnic inequities.
Equity-based ethnicity is only used for comparisons and is another form of total response. Unlike total response, which compares one ethnic group with everyone else in the sample, equity-based ethnicities compare Māori to non-Māori and non-Pacific. The same comparison group is used for Pacific peoples.
Adjusted ratios
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Population groups being compared | Ratio | (95% CI) | Adjustment variables |
| Sex | |||
| Women vs men | 1.14 | ( 1.05 - 1.24 ) | Age |
| Māori Equity | |||
| Māori vs non-Māori & non-Pacific | 0.77 | ( 0.71 - 0.85 ) | Age, Sex |
| Men: Māori vs non-Māori & non-Pacific | 0.68 | ( 0.57 - 0.81 ) | Age |
| Women: Māori vs non-Māori & non-Pacific | 0.85 | ( 0.76 - 0.95 ) | Age |
| Pacific Equity | |||
| Pacific vs non-Pacific & non-Māori | 0.67 | ( 0.58 - 0.78 ) | Age, Sex |
| Men: Pacific vs non-Pacific & non-Māori | 0.73 | ( 0.58 - 0.92 ) | Age |
| Women: Pacific vs non-Pacific & non-Māori | 0.63 | ( 0.5 - 0.79 ) | Age |
| Māori | |||
| Māori vs non-Māori | 0.79 | ( 0.73 - 0.87 ) | Age, Sex |
| Men: Māori vs non-Māori | 0.7 | ( 0.59 - 0.82 ) | Age |
| Women: Māori vs non-Māori | 0.88 | ( 0.79 - 0.98 ) | Age |
| Pacific | |||
| Pacific vs non-Pacific | 0.7 | ( 0.6 - 0.81 ) | Age, Sex |
| Men: Pacific vs non-Pacific | 0.77 | ( 0.62 - 0.97 ) | Age |
| Women: Pacific vs non-Pacific | 0.64 | ( 0.51 - 0.8 ) | Age |
| Asian | |||
| Asian vs non-Asian | 0.93 | ( 0.8 - 1.09 ) | Age, Sex |
| Men: Asian vs non-Asian | 1.15 | ( 0.93 - 1.44 ) | Age |
| Women: Asian vs non-Asian | 0.76 | ( 0.6 - 0.95 ) | Age |
| Neighbourhood deprivation | |||
| Most deprived vs least deprived | 0.81 | ( 0.71 - 0.92 ) | Age, Sex, Ethnicity |
| Men: Most deprived vs least deprived | 0.87 | ( 0.71 - 1.07 ) | Age, Ethnicity |
| Women: Most deprived vs least deprived | 0.76 | ( 0.65 - 0.88 ) | Age, Ethnicity |
For example, an adjusted ratio of 1.50 for Māori vs non-Māori means that the indicator is 1.5 times more likely in Māori than non-Māori, after adjusting for differences in demographic variables such as sex and age.
A highlighted value indicates that the adjusted ratio is statistically significant ( p value < .05).
Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey
Notes:
This table presents unadjusted results; that is, the prevalence estimates reflect the actual percentage for the specified population in each survey year. Statistically significant differences between years are shown in bold ( p value < .05).
Unadjusted prevalence |
Statistical significance of difference between years (
p
value)
|
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population group | 2012 | 2014 | 2016 | 2018 | 2020 | 2012 and 2020 | 2014 and 2020 | 2016 and 2020 | 2018 and 2020 |
| Total | 44.3 | 48.0 | 50.8 | - | 59.6 | .000 | .000 | .000 | - |
| Men | 41.1 | 44.3 | 50.1 | - | 55.4 | .000 | .000 | .044 | - |
| Women | 47.4 | 51.5 | 51.5 | - | 63.8 | .000 | .000 | .000 | - |
| Age group (years) | |||||||||
| 18-24 | 24.2 | 27.6 | 37.9 | - | 36.0 | .082 | .234 | .772 | - |
| 25-44 | 38.4 | 41.5 | 47.0 | - | 58.8 | .000 | .000 | .000 | - |
| 45-64 | 56.0 | 56.8 | 55.8 | - | 64.9 | .009 | .015 | .002 | - |
| 65+ | 56.6 | 64.4 | 63.8 | - | 67.9 | .003 | .356 | .223 | - |
| Ethnicity (total) | |||||||||
| Māori | 29.6 | 33.7 | 34.2 | - | 46.8 | .000 | .000 | .000 | - |
| Pacific | 26.8 | 26.9 | 26.0 | - | 40.3 | .002 | .003 | .001 | - |
| Asian | 31.0 | 36.0 | 42.4 | - | 54.9 | .000 | .005 | .019 | - |
| NZ European / Other | 48.0 | 53.4 | 55.6 | - | 64.4 | .000 | .000 | .000 | - |
| Neighbourhood deprivation | |||||||||
| Least (1-3) | 50.0 | 56.8 | 58.8 | - | 65.9 | .000 | .034 | .020 | - |
| Mid (4-7) | 46.8 | 48.0 | 52.1 | - | 62.5 | .000 | .000 | .000 | - |
| Most (8-10) | 35.7 | 35.9 | 39.1 | - | 47.0 | .003 | .006 | .024 | - |
Unadjusted prevalence |
Statistical significance of difference between years (
p
value)
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population group | 2012 | 2014 | 2016 | 2012 and 2016 | 2014 and 2016 |
| Total | 44.3 | 48.0 | 50.8 | .000 | .132 |
| Men | 41.1 | 44.3 | 50.1 | .000 | .035 |
| Women | 47.4 | 51.5 | 51.5 | .084 | .981 |
| Age group (years) | |||||
| 18-24 | 24.2 | 27.6 | 37.9 | .016 | .089 |
| 25-44 | 38.4 | 41.5 | 47.0 | .006 | .073 |
| 45-64 | 56.0 | 56.8 | 55.8 | .948 | .745 |
| 65+ | 56.6 | 64.4 | 63.8 | .050 | .868 |
| Ethnicity (total) | |||||
| Māori | 29.6 | 33.7 | 34.2 | .202 | .890 |
| Pacific | 26.8 | 26.9 | 26.0 | .850 | .844 |
| Asian | 31.0 | 36.0 | 42.4 | .035 | .276 |
| NZ European / Other | 48.0 | 53.4 | 55.6 | .000 | .293 |
| Neighbourhood deprivation | |||||
| Least (1-3) | 50.0 | 56.8 | 58.8 | .029 | .638 |
| Mid (4-7) | 46.8 | 48.0 | 52.1 | .064 | .113 |
| Most (8-10) | 35.7 | 35.9 | 39.1 | .296 | .350 |
Unadjusted prevalence |
Statistical significance of difference between years (
p
value)
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Population group | 2012 | 2014 | 2012 and 2014 |
| Total | 44.3 | 48.0 | .079 |
| Men | 41.1 | 44.3 | .256 |
| Women | 47.4 | 51.5 | .164 |
| Age group (years) | |||
| 18-24 | 24.2 | 27.6 | .609 |
| 25-44 | 38.4 | 41.5 | .356 |
| 45-64 | 56.0 | 56.8 | .820 |
| 65+ | 56.6 | 64.4 | .055 |
| Ethnicity (total) | |||
| Māori | 29.6 | 33.7 | .297 |
| Pacific | 26.8 | 26.9 | .985 |
| Asian | 31.0 | 36.0 | .460 |
| NZ European / Other | 48.0 | 53.4 | .020 |
| Neighbourhood deprivation | |||
| Least (1-3) | 50.0 | 56.8 | .177 |
| Mid (4-7) | 46.8 | 48.0 | .683 |
| Most (8-10) | 35.7 | 35.9 | .961 |
Unadjusted prevalence |
|
|---|---|
| Population group | 2012 |
| Total | 44.3 |
| Men | 41.1 |
| Women | 47.4 |
| Age group (years) | |
| 18-24 | 24.2 |
| 25-44 | 38.4 |
| 45-64 | 56.0 |
| 65+ | 56.6 |
| Ethnicity (total) | |
| Māori | 29.6 |
| Pacific | 26.8 |
| Asian | 31.0 |
| NZ European / Other | 48.0 |
| Neighbourhood deprivation | |
| Least (1-3) | 50.0 |
| Mid (4-7) | 46.8 |
| Most (8-10) | 35.7 |
Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey
Notes:
New Zealand adults who drink alcohol, but have not had any heavy drinking occasions in the last four weeks.
Heavy drinking is defined as six or more standard drinks for both men and women. The definition of a standard drink can be found on https://www.alcohol.org.nz/help-advice/standard-drinks/whats-a-standard-drink
Questions about heavy consumption of alcohol were asked of respondents who drank alcohol in the last four weeks. Those who answered one or more occasions were defined as heavy drinkers.
Prior to 2020, females were asked how many times they had five or more drinks, while males were asked how many times they had six or more drinks, on one occasion in the last four weeks.
Lower response rates in 2018 than in 2016 and 2020 among young (15 to 24 years) male Māori, young male NZ European/Other, young female Asian, and older (55+ years) male Asian respondents mean that comparisons of 2018 data with 2016 and 2020 should be made with caution. We recommend focusing on longer-term trends where possible.
Interviewing for the 2020 Health and Lifestyles Survey was delayed for five months due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Interviewing was then suspended twice in the Auckland region in response to the alert level being raised to level 3. At all other times, interviewing took place at alert levels 1 and 2 with additional COVID-19 precautions in place. It is unclear what impact the delays to the survey and the pandemic response have had on the data. No adjustments have been made to account for the impacts of these delays and the pandemic response.
Topic: Alcohol
Subtopic: Alcohol consumption
Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey
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