Finland’s recorded alcohol consumption falls to 1970s levels

Recorded alcohol consumption in Finland dropped by 4.5% last year compared to 2024, reaching its lowest level since the 1970s, according to new figures from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

Per capita consumption stood at 6.9 litres of pure alcohol for residents aged 15 and over, the institute reported. The decline affected both on-trade sales—alcohol consumed in licensed premises—which fell by 4.5%, and off-trade sales—alcohol purchased from retail stores and the state-owned Alko chain—which decreased by 4.3%.

THL noted that total consumption figures for 2025 cannot yet be estimated due to changes in data collection methods for traveller imports and cross-border online purchases. These sources have previously accounted for roughly 15% of Finland’s overall alcohol consumption.