• New Zealand Gambling Survey
    • Health and Lifestyles Survey
    • Alcohol Use in New Zealand
  • |
      Health and Lifestyles Survey
      • All respondents
      • Alcohol
      • Eating
      • Gambling
      • Māori cultural identity
      • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Sun exposure
      • Tobacco
      • Vaping / e-cigarettes
      • Alcohol consumption
      • Alcohol cutting back
      • Attitudes to alcohol policy
      • Never drinkers
      • Non-drinkers (last year)
      • Ever drinkers
      • Drinkers (last year)
      • Drinkers - non-heavy (monthly)
      • Drinkers – heavy (atleast monthly)
      • Typical drinking day - one or two standard drinks
      • Typical drinking day - three or four standard drinks
      • Typical drinking day - five or six standard drinks
      • Typical drinking day - seven to nine standard drinks
      • Typical drinking day - 10 or more standard drinks
      Health and Lifestyles Survey Alcohol Alcohol consumption Non-drinkers (last year)

      Alcohol consumption

      Alcohol

      Indicator: Non-drinkers (last year)

      New Zealand adults who did not drink alcohol in the last year.

        • Graphs
        • Data
      2018 Health and Lifestyles Survey

      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.

      Time trends

      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.

      Age and sex

      Ethnicity (total)

      Total response ethnicity means that people who reported belonging to more than one ethnic group are counted once in each group they reported.

      Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey

      Notes:

      • Missing bar in chart indicates insufficient sample size.

      Prevalence for selected indicator

      This table shows the percentage of the population affected.

      Show
      Total
      Men
      Women
      Estimated number of adults
      % (.95CI) % (.95CI) % (.95CI) Total (.95CI)
      Total 22.9 ( 20.4 - 25.5 ) 18.3 ( 14.8 - 22.2 ) 27.3 ( 24.1 - 30.5 ) 902,000 ( 804,000 - 1,005,000 )
      Age group (years)
      18-24 20.1 ( 12.6 - 29.4 ) 14.0 ( 5.4 - 27.8 ) 25.3 ( 14.3 - 39.2 ) 104,000 ( 65,000 - 152,000 )
      25-44 20.4 ( 16.5 - 24.7 ) 17.6 ( 11.6 - 25.1 ) 23.2 ( 18.7 - 28.2 ) 265,000 ( 215,000 - 322,000 )
      45-64 24.6 ( 20.6 - 28.8 ) 19.5 ( 13.7 - 26.4 ) 29.1 ( 24.4 - 34.2 ) 293,000 ( 246,000 - 344,000 )
      65+ 24.4 ( 20.2 - 29 ) 18.4 ( 13.2 - 24.7 ) 30.0 ( 24.2 - 36.2 ) 189,000 ( 157,000 - 225,000 )
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 22.8 ( 17.8 - 28.5 ) 16.9 ( 10.7 - 24.8 ) 28.2 ( 21.8 - 35.3 ) 118,000 ( 92,000 - 147,000 )
      Pacific 35.6 ( 28.7 - 43 ) 28.7 ( 18.1 - 41.3 ) 42.6 ( 34 - 51.6 ) 94,000 ( 75,000 - 113,000 )
      Asian 45.5 ( 36.8 - 54.4 ) 32.6 ( 21 - 46.1 ) 57.8 ( 44.7 - 70.1 ) 276,000 ( 224,000 - 330,000 )
      NZ European / Other 16.4 ( 13.7 - 19.3 ) 13.5 ( 10 - 17.6 ) 19.2 ( 15.8 - 22.9 ) 486,000 ( 408,000 - 572,000 )
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 17.0 ( 12.6 - 22.2 ) 12.0 ( 6.3 - 20.1 ) 21.9 ( 16.5 - 28 ) 214,000 ( 159,000 - 280,000 )
      Mid (4-7) 20.5 ( 16.3 - 25.2 ) 15.4 ( 10.3 - 21.9 ) 25.1 ( 19.5 - 31.4 ) 318,000 ( 254,000 - 392,000 )
      Most (8-10) 33.1 ( 28.5 - 37.9 ) 29.0 ( 21.7 - 37.2 ) 37.1 ( 31.1 - 43.4 ) 364,000 ( 314,000 - 418,000 )
      Total
      Men
      Women
      Estimated number of adults
      % (.95CI) % (.95CI) % (.95CI) Total (.95CI)
      Total 24.1 ( 22.1 - 26 ) 19.1 ( 16.5 - 22 ) 28.7 ( 26.1 - 31.5 ) 907,000 ( 836,000 - 982,000 )
      Age group (years)
      18-24 20.0 ( 14.3 - 26.8 ) 14.6 ( 8.6 - 22.6 ) 26.2 ( 15.8 - 39 ) 104,000 ( 74,000 - 139,000 )
      25-44 23.0 ( 19.9 - 26.3 ) 18.6 ( 13.9 - 24 ) 27.2 ( 23.2 - 31.3 ) 281,000 ( 244,000 - 321,000 )
      45-64 20.9 ( 18.2 - 23.8 ) 17.9 ( 13.7 - 22.8 ) 23.5 ( 19.9 - 27.5 ) 250,000 ( 218,000 - 285,000 )
      65+ 27.1 ( 23 - 31.4 ) 19.4 ( 13.8 - 26 ) 34.5 ( 29.2 - 40.1 ) 185,000 ( 157,000 - 215,000 )
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 22.6 ( 18.4 - 27.3 ) 21.2 ( 14.8 - 28.8 ) 23.9 ( 18.5 - 30 ) 112,000 ( 91,000 - 136,000 )
      Pacific 45.1 ( 38.3 - 52 ) 37.9 ( 27.6 - 49.2 ) 52.7 ( 44.7 - 60.6 ) 114,000 ( 97,000 - 132,000 )
      Asian 49.3 ( 43.3 - 55.3 ) 39.5 ( 30.1 - 49.5 ) 58.6 ( 49 - 67.8 ) 271,000 ( 238,000 - 304,000 )
      NZ European / Other 17.1 ( 15.1 - 19.3 ) 13.4 ( 10.7 - 16.4 ) 20.7 ( 17.9 - 23.8 ) 490,000 ( 432,000 - 552,000 )
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 18.3 ( 14.8 - 22.2 ) 14.2 ( 9.2 - 20.5 ) 22.1 ( 17.5 - 27.2 ) 213,000 ( 173,000 - 259,000 )
      Mid (4-7) 23.2 ( 19.9 - 26.7 ) 17.9 ( 13.5 - 23 ) 28.0 ( 23.4 - 33 ) 380,000 ( 326,000 - 438,000 )
      Most (8-10) 32.4 ( 28.7 - 36.3 ) 26.6 ( 21.9 - 31.6 ) 38.5 ( 33.1 - 44.2 ) 315,000 ( 279,000 - 352,000 )
      Total
      Men
      Women
      Estimated number of adults
      % (.95CI) % (.95CI) % (.95CI) Total (.95CI)
      Total 25.6 ( 23.2 - 28.1 ) 21.4 ( 18.2 - 24.9 ) 29.5 ( 26 - 33.3 ) 922,000 ( 835,000 - 1,013,000 )
      Age group (years)
      18-24 26.1 ( 17 - 36.9 ) 23.6 ( 12.8 - 37.7 ) 28.3 ( 16.2 - 43.3 ) 126,000 ( 82,000 - 178,000 )
      25-44 23.0 ( 19.4 - 27 ) 17.3 ( 12.5 - 23 ) 28.3 ( 23 - 34.1 ) 267,000 ( 225,000 - 313,000 )
      45-64 22.8 ( 19.3 - 26.6 ) 20.1 ( 14.5 - 26.7 ) 25.3 ( 20.2 - 30.8 ) 249,000 ( 210,000 - 291,000 )
      65+ 27.6 ( 23.1 - 32.6 ) 20.0 ( 14.7 - 26.3 ) 34.3 ( 27.2 - 42 ) 194,000 ( 161,000 - 228,000 )
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 25.4 ( 20.7 - 30.5 ) 23.4 ( 16.6 - 31.2 ) 27.2 ( 20.5 - 34.7 ) 119,000 ( 97,000 - 144,000 )
      Pacific 42.7 ( 35.1 - 50.5 ) 38.7 ( 28.3 - 49.9 ) 46.6 ( 36.4 - 56.9 ) 96,000 ( 79,000 - 113,000 )
      Asian 53.0 ( 42.2 - 63.7 ) 48.2 ( 33.6 - 62.9 ) 57.5 ( 41.6 - 72.4 ) 244,000 ( 195,000 - 293,000 )
      NZ European / Other 19.4 ( 17 - 22 ) 15.6 ( 12.2 - 19.4 ) 23.0 ( 19.5 - 26.7 ) 532,000 ( 465,000 - 603,000 )
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 18.0 ( 12.5 - 24.7 ) 15.1 ( 9.3 - 22.7 ) 20.8 ( 13.2 - 30.2 ) 206,000 ( 143,000 - 283,000 )
      Mid (4-7) 25.3 ( 21.9 - 29 ) 21.4 ( 16.2 - 27.3 ) 29.3 ( 24.7 - 34.2 ) 394,000 ( 341,000 - 451,000 )
      Most (8-10) 36.1 ( 31.1 - 41.4 ) 30.7 ( 24.1 - 38 ) 40.7 ( 33.9 - 47.8 ) 319,000 ( 275,000 - 366,000 )
      Total
      Men
      Women
      Estimated number of adults
      % (.95CI) % (.95CI) % (.95CI) Total (.95CI)
      Total 26.8 ( 24 - 29.8 ) 20.8 ( 17.4 - 24.5 ) 32.4 ( 28.7 - 36.3 ) 938,000 ( 839,000 - 1,042,000 )
      Age group (years)
      18-24 22.5 ( 15 - 31.7 ) 16.6 ( 8.6 - 27.8 ) 28.0 ( 15.5 - 43.5 ) 108,000 ( 72,000 - 151,000 )
      25-44 26.1 ( 22.1 - 30.4 ) 21.3 ( 15.9 - 27.5 ) 30.5 ( 25.6 - 35.9 ) 299,000 ( 253,000 - 348,000 )
      45-64 22.3 ( 18.4 - 26.7 ) 14.8 ( 10.2 - 20.5 ) 28.9 ( 23.1 - 35.3 ) 248,000 ( 203,000 - 297,000 )
      65+ 33.6 ( 28.3 - 39.2 ) 23.5 ( 17.6 - 30.3 ) 43.5 ( 35.2 - 52.1 ) 209,000 ( 176,000 - 244,000 )
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 22.5 ( 18.9 - 26.4 ) 16.5 ( 12.1 - 21.6 ) 27.9 ( 22.3 - 34.2 ) 102,000 ( 86,000 - 119,000 )
      Pacific 40.0 ( 33.3 - 47.1 ) 29.1 ( 21 - 38.2 ) 50.4 ( 41.1 - 59.8 ) 83,000 ( 69,000 - 97,000 )
      Asian 59.5 ( 48.7 - 69.8 ) 51.6 ( 32.1 - 70.8 ) 66.6 ( 55.7 - 76.3 ) 236,000 ( 193,000 - 276,000 )
      NZ European / Other 23.5 ( 20.5 - 26.7 ) 18.0 ( 14.4 - 22.1 ) 28.5 ( 24.1 - 33.1 ) 669,000 ( 583,000 - 761,000 )
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 18.0 ( 12.5 - 24.7 ) 12.7 ( 7 - 20.7 ) 23.3 ( 15.7 - 32.4 ) 171,000 ( 118,000 - 235,000 )
      Mid (4-7) 27.3 ( 22.7 - 32.3 ) 21.2 ( 16 - 27.3 ) 32.8 ( 27.1 - 38.8 ) 409,000 ( 340,000 - 484,000 )
      Most (8-10) 34.1 ( 28.5 - 40 ) 27.8 ( 20.2 - 36.4 ) 39.9 ( 32.7 - 47.3 ) 358,000 ( 299,000 - 420,000 )

      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:

      • This table presents unadjusted results; that is, the prevalence or mean estimates reflect the actual percentage or mean of the population affected in each time period.
      • Total response measure of ethnicity was used. People who reported belonging to more than one ethnic group are counted once in each group they reported.
      • Dashes indicate insufficient sample size.

      Subgroup Comparison (2018)

      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.

      Show

      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 1.49 ( 1.2 - 1.85 ) Age
      Māori Equity
      Māori vs non-Māori & non-Pacific 1.06 ( 0.81 - 1.38 ) Age, Sex
      Men: Māori vs non-Māori & non-Pacific 0.96 ( 0.58 - 1.58 ) Age
      Women: Māori vs non-Māori & non-Pacific 1.13 ( 0.85 - 1.49 ) Age
      Pacific Equity
      Pacific vs non-Pacific & non-Māori 1.68 ( 1.31 - 2.15 ) Age, Sex
      Men: Pacific vs non-Pacific & non-Māori 1.63 ( 1.03 - 2.58 ) Age
      Women: Pacific vs non-Pacific & non-Māori 1.71 ( 1.31 - 2.23 ) Age
      Māori
      Māori vs non-Māori 1 ( 0.77 - 1.31 ) Age, Sex
      Men: Māori vs non-Māori 0.92 ( 0.56 - 1.51 ) Age
      Women: Māori vs non-Māori 1.06 ( 0.8 - 1.38 ) Age
      Pacific
      Pacific vs non-Pacific 1.66 ( 1.31 - 2.12 ) Age, Sex
      Men: Pacific vs non-Pacific 1.66 ( 1.06 - 2.6 ) Age
      Women: Pacific vs non-Pacific 1.66 ( 1.29 - 2.15 ) Age
      Asian
      Asian vs non-Asian 2.59 ( 2.08 - 3.21 ) Age, Sex
      Men: Asian vs non-Asian 2.16 ( 1.41 - 3.33 ) Age
      Women: Asian vs non-Asian 2.89 ( 2.27 - 3.67 ) Age
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Most deprived vs least deprived 1.86 ( 1.37 - 2.54 ) Age, Sex, Ethnicity
      Men: Most deprived vs least deprived 2.43 ( 1.31 - 4.51 ) Age, Ethnicity
      Women: Most deprived vs least deprived 1.55 ( 1.13 - 2.11 ) 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 gives comparisons as adjusted prevalence ratios.
      • Population groups being compared are based on total ethnicity.
      • Neighbourhood deprivation groups are least (1 - 3), mid (4 - 7) and most deprived (8 - 10).
      • The model for neighbourhood deprivation used prioritised ethnicity as an adjustment variable.
      • Dashes indicate that reliable estimates are unavailable due to, for example, an insufficient sample size or unusually wide confidence interval.

      Changes over time

      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).

      Show
      Unadjusted prevalence
      Statistical significance of difference between years ( p value)
      Population group 2012 2014 2016 2018 2012 and 2018 2014 and 2018 2016 and 2018
      Total 26.8 25.6 24.1 22.9 .045 .132 .474
      Men 20.8 21.4 19.1 18.3 .335 .217 .728
      Women 32.4 29.5 28.7 27.3 .041 .359 .488
      Age group (years)
      18-24 22.5 26.1 20.0 20.1 .689 .369 .993
      25-44 26.1 23.0 23.0 20.4 .056 .367 .332
      45-64 22.3 22.8 20.9 24.6 .458 .522 .150
      65+ 33.6 27.6 27.1 24.4 .010 .329 .394
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 22.5 25.4 22.6 22.8 .927 .492 .961
      Pacific 40.0 42.7 45.1 35.6 .384 .187 .061
      Asian 59.5 53.0 49.3 45.5 .046 .290 .490
      NZ European / Other 23.5 19.4 17.1 16.4 .001 .112 .667
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 18.0 18.0 18.3 17.0 .794 .792 .664
      Mid (4-7) 27.3 25.3 23.2 20.5 .040 .092 .347
      Most (8-10) 34.1 36.1 32.4 33.1 .796 .387 .834
      Unadjusted prevalence
      Statistical significance of difference between years ( p value)
      Population group 2012 2014 2016 2012 and 2016 2014 and 2016
      Total 26.8 25.6 24.1 .120 .331
      Men 20.8 21.4 19.1 .459 .296
      Women 32.4 29.5 28.7 .120 .732
      Age group (years)
      18-24 22.5 26.1 20.0 .643 .316
      25-44 26.1 23.0 23.0 .240 .997
      45-64 22.3 22.8 20.9 .580 .433
      65+ 33.6 27.6 27.1 .062 .855
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 22.5 25.4 22.6 .965 .423
      Pacific 40.0 42.7 45.1 .309 .650
      Asian 59.5 53.0 49.3 .098 .552
      NZ European / Other 23.5 19.4 17.1 .001 .175
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 18.0 18.0 18.3 .934 .936
      Mid (4-7) 27.3 25.3 23.2 .168 .385
      Most (8-10) 34.1 36.1 32.4 .643 .253
      Unadjusted prevalence
      Statistical significance of difference between years ( p value)
      Population group 2012 2014 2012 and 2014
      Total 26.8 25.6 .535
      Men 20.8 21.4 .800
      Women 32.4 29.5 .281
      Age group (years)
      18-24 22.5 26.1 .591
      25-44 26.1 23.0 .278
      45-64 22.3 22.8 .882
      65+ 33.6 27.6 .106
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 22.5 25.4 .366
      Pacific 40.0 42.7 .615
      Asian 59.5 53.0 .396
      NZ European / Other 23.5 19.4 .046
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 18.0 18.0 .998
      Mid (4-7) 27.3 25.3 .517
      Most (8-10) 34.1 36.1 .593
      Unadjusted prevalence
      Population group 2012
      Total 26.8
      Men 20.8
      Women 32.4
      Age group (years)
      18-24 22.5
      25-44 26.1
      45-64 22.3
      65+ 33.6
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 22.5
      Pacific 40.0
      Asian 59.5
      NZ European / Other 23.5
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 18.0
      Mid (4-7) 27.3
      Most (8-10) 34.1

      Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey

      Notes:

      • Total response measure of ethnicity was used. People who reported belonging to more than one ethnic group are counted once in each group they reported.
      • Dashes indicate that the data is not available.

      Indicator definition

      New Zealand adults who did not drink alcohol in the last year.

      Prior to 2020, this indicator was 'Drinkers (last year)' and were those who said yes to the question 'Have you had a drink containing alcohol in the last year? (Yes / No)'

      Question:
      How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
      (Never / Monthly or less / 2 to 4 times a month / 2 to 3 times a week / 4 or more times a week)
      Interpretation notes
      Change in response rate

      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.

      Impacts of Covid

      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.

      Navigation

      Topic: Alcohol

      Subtopic: Alcohol consumption

      Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey

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