• In 2021, a total of 43.0 million litres of pure alcohol were sold in Scotland
• Consumption rates: In 2021, 9.4 litres (L) of pure alcohol were sold per adult in Scotland, equivalent to 18.1 units per adult per week. Excluding the proportion of the population that does not drink alcohol gives a total consumption figure of 11.3L per adult drinker, rather than 9.4L per adult.
• In 2021, the volume of pure alcohol sold per adult in Scotland was maintained at a similar level to 2020, the lowest level seen over the available time series.
• Comparison: The volume of pure alcohol sold per adult in Scotland in 2021 was 4% higher than in England & Wales.
• Price of alcohol: In 2021, the average price of alcohol sold in the off-trade in Scotland was 64p per unit, an increase from 63p in 2020.
• Type of alcohol: Of the total volume of pure alcohol sold per adult in Scotland in 2021, spirits accounted for 31%, wine for 30%, beer for 29% and cider for 5%.
• Off-trade: In 2021, COVID-19 restrictions affected alcohol sales through on-trade premises (such as pubs, clubs and restaurants). Off-trade premises (supermarkets and other off-licences) sold 85% of all alcohol purchased in 2021 (up from 73% in 2019 but down from 90% in 2020).
• Promotions: 25% of all alcohol (natural volume) sold off-trade through larger multiple retailers (excluding discount retailers) in Scotland was sold on promotion, the same as 2020.

Source: The Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland's Alcohol Strategy (MESAS) monitoring reports 2022.

For more information, visit: http://www.alcoholinscotland.info/

• In 2020, a total of 42.5 million litres of pure alcohol were sold in Scotland
• The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on individuals’ drinking behaviours and consumption patterns, with an increase in drinking at home and drinking alone.
• Consumption rates: In 2020, 9.4 litres (L) of pure alcohol were sold per adult in Scotland, equivalent to 18.0 units per adult per week. This is the lowest level seen in Scotland over the available time series (1994 onwards). Excluding the proportion of the population that does not drink alcohol gives a total consumption figure of 11.2L per adult drinker, rather than 9.4L per adult.
• In 2020, the volume of pure alcohol sold per adult in Scotland was at the lowest level seen over the available time series. Despite this overall population decrease, death rates increased across the pandemic, indicating that heavy episodic drinking may have increased in certain groups.
• Comparison: The volume of pure alcohol sold per adult in Scotland in 2020 was 6% higher than in England & Wales, the smallest difference seen in the available time series
• Price of alcohol: In 2020, the average price of alcohol sold in the off-trade in Scotland was 63p per unit, an increase from 62p in 2019.
• Type of alcohol: Of the total volume of pure alcohol sold per adult in Scotland in 2020, spirits accounted for 31%, wine for 31%, beer for 27% and cider for 6%.
• Off-trade: 90% of units sold in Scotland in 2020 were sold through the off-trade (in supermarkets and other off-licenses).
• Promotions: 25% of all alcohol (natural volume) sold off-trade through larger multiple retailers (excluding discount retailers) in Scotland was sold on promotion, the same as 2019.

Source: The Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland's Alcohol Strategy (MESAS) monitoring reports 2021.

For more information, visit: http://www.alcoholinscotland.info/