A ‘record number of deaths caused directly by alcohol’ – ONS

A record number of deaths caused directly by alcohol were recorded in Britain last year. The Office for National Statistics found 10,473 deaths occurred “as a direct consequence of alcohol misuse”.

According to the ONS data, in 2023:

• 10,473 deaths from alcohol-specific causes were registered in the UK, the highest number on record, but the rate of alcohol-specific deaths (15.9 per 100,000 people) decreased slightly compared with 2022, (16.6 deaths per 100,000 people).
• Age-specific rates decreased for the first time since 2020 for people aged between 25 and 59 years, while rates for those aged 20 to 24 and 60+ years remained similar to 2022. 
• The rate of alcohol-specific deaths for males remained around double the rate for females (21.9 and 10.3 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively); this is consistent with previous years.
• England and Wales had an increase in the rate of alcohol-specific deaths (15.0 and 17.7 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively) compared with 2022.
• Scotland and Northern Ireland continued to have the highest rate of alcohol-specific deaths (22.6 and 18.5 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively), with the rate in Scotland remaining unchanged and a decrease in Northern Ireland compared with 2022.
• The North East had the highest rate of alcohol-specific deaths of any English region (25.7 deaths per 100,000); the East of England had the lowest rate (11.5 deaths per 100,000).

Pamela Healy, chief executive of the British Liver Trust, said: 

“We are living in the shadow of harmful and hazardous drinking that is only increasing since the pandemic, and these latest figures highlight the terrifying scale of this growing health crisis.”

Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board said: 

“Councils, which are responsible for public health services, are committed to continue supporting everyone with alcohol problems. Every life lost to alcohol misuse is another tragic reminder that there is still more work to do, including the need to reduce pressure on the NHS and social care.”