New data published by Public Health Scotland (PHS) reveals people in Scotland are drinking 50% above safe limits, with more deprived communities hit hardest.

In 2023/24, the rate of wholly attributable alcohol hospital admissions was 513.2 per 100,000 population in NHS Orkney, compared to the rate for Scotland which was 594.5 per 100,000 population.

In 2023, the rate of wholly attributable alcohol mortality was 19.4 per 100,000
population in NHS Orkney, compared to the rate for Scotland which was 22.5 per 100,000 population.

Orkney has a population of just over 22,000.

Click on this link to download the report for NHS Orkney:

Despite recent improvements, Scotland continues to face a significant alcohol problem, with adults who drink alcohol consuming an average of 21.6 units per week. This is more than 50% above the Chief Medical Officers’ safe drinking guidelines of 14 for both men and women.

Main points

• In 2024, 9.0 litres of pure alcohol were sold per adult in Scotland, equivalent to 17.3 units per adult per week.
• Throughout the period from 2017 to 2024 the volume of pure alcohol sold per adult per year in Scotland has fallen steadily from 10.6 litres in 2017 to 9.0 litres in 2024.
• The majority (76%) of alcohol sold in 2024 in Scotland was sold in off-trade premises such as supermarkets and other off-licenses. While total off-trade sales have declined since 2017, the proportion of alcohol sold in the off-trade has increased from 73% in 2017.
• Throughout the period from 2008 to 2023 the percentage of adult Scottish Health Survey respondents who identify as being non-drinkers has steadily increased from 12% in 2008 to 20% in 2023.

The Public Health Scotland Alcohol Consumption and Harms dashboard provides evidence on alcohol related harms and inequalities across multiple themes including consumption, hospital admissions and mortality. This recent release provides 2023-24 data and includes a new dataset for population consumption based on alcohol sales between 2017-2024.

This latest update shows that while the volume of alcohol sold is decreasing, it remains higher than the amount sold per adult in England and Wales.

More concerning are the stark inequalities revealed in the data. People living in Scotland’s most deprived areas are six times more likely to be hospitalised or die from causes wholly related to alcohol compared to those in the least deprived communities.

Dr Tara Shivaji, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at PHS, said:

“Today’s updates add to the evidence base that as a population, Scotland is consuming too much alcohol.

“If current drinking patterns continue, we project a 21% increase in alcohol-related disease burden by 2043 compared to 2019 levels. This means thousands more individuals and families facing the devastating impacts of alcohol related ill-health such as liver disease, heart disease, stroke and cancer.

“Every week, people across Scotland are drinking well above the recommended 14-unit limit, significantly increasing their risk of these serious health conditions.

“The newly released data provides compelling evidence that despite progress, Scotland’s relationship with alcohol remains deeply problematic and requires immediate attention.

“This isn’t inevitable,” Dr Shivaji emphasised.

“With urgent, collective and evidence-based action to tackle harmful alcohol use, we can change Scotland’s path. We need to take steps to implement the preventative measures outlined in the Population Health Framework. This means addressing the availability, affordability, and attractiveness of alcohol, as well as providing early intervention and support for people experiencing problems. But that work must start now.”

Fiona Grahame

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