French and German consumers are drinking less and less alcohol while British drinkers increasingly guzzle more, according to a new report from research firm Mintel.

While it seems to be one more round for the Brits, alcohol consumption in France fell 6% to just under six billion litres between 1999 and 2004.

German consumers, faced with high unemployment and economic worries, have cut back by 8% as well and now drink just below 12 billion litres of alcohol a year.

And with a continual shift to healthier lifestyles on the continent, especially amongst younger generations, Mintel predicts the decline in consumption will continue.

But there’s no such concern for the drinks industry in Britain, where consumption rose 5% during the same timeframe breaking the eight billion litre barrier. 

Of the three markets, Britain’s alcohol market has enjoyed the greatest rise in value and is now worth almost €56b (£38b).

Mintel senior analyst Hanna Kivimaki said: “In France and Germany the cultural zeitgeist seems to be moving towards healthier lifestyles and away from alcohol consumption.”
 
A full analysis of drinking trends can be found in the report Drinking Habits in Europe.

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