March 26, 2025 (London) — Today, the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) released its 2025 Report on Underage Drinking, providing the most comprehensive analysis to date of underage drinking across 66 countries that have released recent data. The report reveals that underage drinking has declined or stabilized in more than half (58%) of these countries since 2010, with reductions of 40% or more in nations like the United States, Australia and Japan.
These results demonstrate the power of partnership in tackling underage drinking, with governments, health experts and industry all playing vital roles. However, while progress has been made, significant challenges remain, including disparities between drinking rates of underage boys and girls and inconsistent data in developing nations.
Commenting on the new report, Julian Braithwaite, Chief Executive of IARD said:
“This report shows real progress, with underage drinking declining or stabilizing in nearly 60% of countries, including sharp drops in the US, Australia, and Japan. IARD members have responded to the UN’s call by raising standards and achieving 98% compliance with digital safeguards, helping ensure alcohol marketing and sales reach only adults. We are committed to building on this momentum at the UN’s High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases later this year”
IARD’s commitment to action
IARD and its member companies are at the forefront of global efforts to prevent underage drinking. Key initiatives include:
- Age-restriction messaging on billions of product labels annually
- Responsible marketing practices, including partnerships with major digital platforms for digital safeguards with a current compliance rate of 98.2%
- Partnerships with retailers to prevent underage access to alcohol
- Education campaigns highlighting that young people should not drink alcohol
About IARD
The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing harmful drinking and promoting understanding of responsible drinking. We are supported by the leading global beer, wine, and spirits producers, who have come together for a common purpose: to be part of the solution in combating harmful drinking. To advance this shared mission, IARD works and partners with the public sector, civil society, and private stakeholders.
