Between 1990 and 2017, global adult per-capita consumption increased from 5·9 L to 6·5 L, and is forecasted to reach 7·6 L by 2030. Globally, the prevalence of lifetime abstinence decreased from 46% in 1990 to 43% in 2017, while the prevalence of current alcohol use increased from 45% in 1990 to 47% in 2017.
The researchers forecast both trends to continue, with abstinence decreasing to 40% by 2030 and the proportion of current alcohol users increasing to 50% by 2030.
Based on these data, global goals for reducing the harmful use of alcohol are unlikely to be achieved, and known effective and cost-effective policy measures should be implemented to reduce alcohol exposure…