Over the past 20 years, the share of alcohol consumers in Russia has decreased from 73 to 52%; Those setting the trend for a sober lifestyle are zoomers and younger millennials; This is demonstrated by the results of a recent VTsIOM survey on how drinking practices in Russia have changed over the past 20 years.
It should be noted that the main reason for alcohol abuse among Russians is still considered the desire to relieve stress and tension (2024, 2004: 38%).
According to the results of a recent VTsIOM survey, the share of those who do not consume alcohol at all in Russia is almost equal to the share of alcohol consumers (48 and 52%, respectively), while 20 years ago there were almost three times as many among the latter than among abstainers (73 versus 27%).
In 2004, almost one in two people preferred beer: 47% drank wine and vodka (33% each). Now, against the background of an increase in the proportion of teetotalers, its former popularity has faded: wine consumers account for 19% (minus 14 percentage points since 2004), beer consumers – 18% (minus 29 points percentages), vodka, 11% (minus 22 pp). In the case of other strong alcoholic beverages, the situation remained the same: cognac, whiskey, rum and gin were less appreciated by Russians and remain so.
The proportion of Russians who do not drink alcohol has increased by 1.8 times over the past 20 years, from 27 to 48%.
The main reason why Russians abuse alcohol is still considered the desire to relieve stress and tension (38% each in 2024 and 2004). More than a quarter of respondents consider lack of willpower to be the reason for “bringing to the chest” (27%, 2004 – 29%), one in five talks about the need to “complete” the pain and misfortune (20%, 2004 – 17%). Among the reasons also cited are idleness, the influence of the immediate environment (18%, minus 5 pp) and uncertainty about the future (14%, minus 11 pp).
