Sweden: 6 in 10 lack knowledge about alcohol’s link to dementia
- Nordic Alcohol and Drug Policy Network
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
11.11.2025 - A majority of Swedes are unsure about the link between alcohol and dementia, according to a new survey from Systembolaget. At the same time, 34 percent say they would reduce their alcohol consumption if they were aware of the increased risk.
“Seeing that one third would consider drinking less if they knew about the risks is notable,” says Anna Ökvist at Hjärnfonden.
Knowledge about alcohol’s effects on the brain is low. Fifty-three percent say they are not sure, while seven percent say they do not agree that alcohol consumption increases the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. These results come from a new survey of 2,700 Swedes conducted by Verian on behalf of Systembolaget.
Lack of awareness differs between men and women. More men (63 percent) are unaware of the risks compared with women (57 percent). Knowledge is also especially low among older adults, particularly those aged 65 to 79 (65 percent).
“We see that there is a knowledge gap regarding the link between alcohol consumption and dementia. At Systembolaget we think it is important that everyone knows the risks of alcohol consumption and has the opportunity to make informed choices about their drinking,” says Karolina Dahlbeck Nobel, head of public health at Systembolaget.
More knowledge can change consumption
Respondents also say they would change their behaviour and drink less alcohol if they were aware of the risks. In the survey, 34 percent say they would have drunk less if they had known about the increased risk of dementia. The figure is even higher among women aged 18 to 29 (47 percent) and residents of the Stockholm area (41 percent).
“That one third would consider drinking less if they knew about the risks is notable and puts the public’s low level of knowledge in a new light. It points to a knowledge gap and potential public health gains if individual awareness increased. At the same time, it is important to remember that behaviour change is difficult, and that people need the right conditions to break established habits, especially at the societal level,” says Anna Ökvist, programme manager at Hjärnfonden.
About the survey
To gain a deeper understanding of the public’s perceptions of the link between alcohol consumption and its impact on the brain, Systembolaget commissioned Verian to conduct a new survey. The survey was carried out as an online questionnaire in Verian’s randomly recruited web panel, with a nationally representative sample of 2,700 people aged 18 to 79. Data collection took place between 22 May and 4 June 2025.
Source: Hjärnfonden
