New survey: Significantly more Danes are cutting back on alcohol
- Nordic Alcohol and Drug Policy Network
- Aug 5
- 2 min read
05.08.2025 - Four in ten Danes have deliberately chosen to abstain from alcohol for a period during the past year, according to a new survey conducted by Voxmeter on behalf of Blue Cross Denmark. This marks a significant increase compared to the year before.
Summer and sunshine are often associated with higher alcohol consumption, but more Danes are starting to reconsider their drinking habits.
The new Voxmeter survey reveals that 42.1 percent of Danes have refrained from drinking alcohol for a period over the past year. In 2024, the figure was 34.6 percent, showing a 7.5 percentage point increase in just one year. This comes as a surprise to Morten Skov Mogensen, Secretary General of Blue Cross Denmark.
“This is a surprising but very welcome increase. To me, it shows that in Denmark we’re becoming more conscious of our alcohol use than before. It’s not necessarily about giving up alcohol entirely, but about thinking more carefully about how much we drink, when and why,” he said.
The survey also shows a rise in the number of people who have considered taking a break from alcohol. In 2024, 38.7 percent said they had thought about it. In 2025, that number has risen to nearly half of all respondents.
Health and wellbeing play a larger role According to the survey, health and wellbeing are the main reasons people choose to stop drinking. Better sleep, weight loss and increased energy were the most common motivators. In addition, more than 40 percent said they simply lacked the desire to drink, while nearly one in four cited medication or health concerns.
“We have a deeply rooted alcohol culture in Denmark, and alcohol is often a regular part of social events, celebrations and even coping with tough times. In recent years, however, there has been a shift toward a more thoughtful approach to alcohol, and this survey clearly confirms that trend,” said Morten Skov Mogensen. He added:
“I hope these positive developments will help open up more conversations about Denmark’s alcohol culture and push it in a healthier direction.”
Each year, Blue Cross Denmark supports thousands of people who struggle with alcohol problems themselves or are affected by someone else’s misuse. The organisation also works to promote a healthier alcohol culture.
About the survey:
The representative survey was carried out by Voxmeter on behalf of Blue Cross Denmark.
A total of 1,022 respondents took part between 7 and 16 May 2025.
Source: Blue Cross Denmark