Three in four young Danes feel pressure to drink alcohol
- Nordic Alcohol and Drug Policy Network
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
25.08.2026 - A new Danish survey shows that alcohol remains strongly connected to social life, particularly among young adults. Almost three in four Danes aged 18 to 34 say they experience an expectation to drink alcohol when socialising with friends and acquaintances.
The representative survey, carried out by Voxmeter for Blå Kors Danmark, found that 63.1% of Danish adults feel, to a great or some extent, that people are expected to drink alcohol in social situations. Among 18 to 34-year-olds, the figure rises to 74.7%. Blå Kors Danmark says the findings are especially relevant as thousands of young people begin their studies, a period often marked by introduction parties and other social activities where alcohol traditionally plays a prominent role.
Morten Skov Mogensen, Secretary General of Blå Kors Danmark, describes the results as concerning, arguing that young people already face considerable social pressures when starting their studies. He says educational institutions and wider society should create environments where taking part in social life does not depend on whether someone drinks alcohol. The organisation argues that declining alcohol should be considered just as normal as accepting a drink.
The survey also points to growing interest in taking breaks from alcohol. Some 45% of respondents have considered giving up alcohol for a period, while 41.3% say they have done so during the past year. However, abstaining can have social consequences. Among those who had chosen not to drink, 30.5% said this made it harder to feel part of a social community. Among 18 to 34-year-olds, the proportion was considerably higher, at 48.2%.
For Blå Kors Danmark, the findings demonstrate that alcohol can still function as what the organisation describes as an “entry ticket” to social belonging. The organisation calls for social environments in which people can participate equally regardless of what is in their glass, particularly at the beginning of the academic year when new friendships and social networks are being formed.
The Voxmeter survey was conducted for Blå Kors Danmark among 1,002 representative Danish adults aged 18 and over between 12 and 19 May 2026. The results were published by Blå Kors Danmark on 19 August 2026.
Short summary
A new Danish survey finds that 74.7% of people aged 18 to 34 experience an expectation to drink alcohol in social situations. Almost half of young adults who have taken a break from alcohol say doing so made it harder to feel part of a social community.
Key figures
74.7% of 18 to 34-year-olds feel there is an expectation to drink in social situations.
63.1% of all Danish adults report such an expectation.
45% have considered taking a break from alcohol.
41.3% have actually chosen not to drink for a period during the past year.
30.5% of those who abstained found it harder to be part of a social community.
Among 18 to 34-year-olds who abstained, this rises to 48.2%.
