Alcohol consumption decreased again last year. Photo: Emmi Korhonen / Lehtikuva
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Alcohol consumption in Finland declined by 4.4 percent in 2023, continuing a downward trend that has persisted for over 15 years, according to new figures from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
The average volume of pure alcohol consumed per person aged 15 and older was 8.3 litres last year. This figure includes both recorded and unrecorded consumption.
Recorded consumption, which covers sales in retail outlets and licensed premises, fell by 3.5 percent. Retail sales alone dropped by 3.5 percent, while on-premise consumption in bars and restaurants declined by 5.6 percent.
The decline came despite changes in legislation last June that made it easier to buy stronger alcoholic beverages in grocery stores. Shops are now allowed to sell fermented drinks with an alcohol content of up to eight percent, up from the previous limit of 5.5 percent.
The continued fall in consumption suggests that broader social or behavioural shifts may be outweighing increased retail availability.
Earlier this month, a parliamentary survey by Yle found that most Finnish MPs opposed a government proposal to further expand alcohol access by allowing grocery stores to sell a wider range of wines.
According to THL, alcohol consumption in Finland has been steadily decreasing since 2007, when per capita use peaked. Public health campaigns, changing attitudes, and tighter regulation of advertising have all been cited as contributing factors.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
