Shoppers browse soju products on display at a grocery store in Seoul. [YONHAP]
The number of men engaging in monthly binge drinking has declined over the past decade, while the rate among women has increased, according to a government report on Sunday.
The monthly binge-drinking rate among men fell from 61.8 percent in 2015 to 56.7 percent last year. Among women, however, the figure rose from 31.2 percent to 33.4 percent during the same period, according to a report released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Sunday.
The report analyzed monthly alcohol consumption trends between 2015 and 2024 using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationwide government health survey conducted annually on about 10,000 people.
Monthly binge drinking refers to drinking heavily at least once a month over the past year. The standard is defined as consuming seven or more drinks — or five cans of beer — in one sitting for men, and five or more drinks — or three cans of beer — for women.
The decline in male drinkers was especially pronounced among those in their 20s and 30s. The monthly binge-drinking rate among men in their 20s fell from 62.2 percent to 51.6 percent, and the figure for men in their 30s dropped from 69.6 percent to 57.2 percent.
Men, however, still recorded higher binge-drinking rates overall across all age groups.
A shopper picks up HiteJinro's soju displayed at a retail market in Seoul on Feb. 14, 2024 [NEWS1]
Men in their 40s recorded the highest monthly binge-drinking rate among all groups at 65.3 percent last year, showing a minimal change from 64.7 percent in 2015.
The report noted that men in their 30s had the highest binge-drinking rate in 2015, but the trend shifted to men in their 40s a decade later.
Among women, the sharpest increase was seen among those in their 30s. Their monthly binge-drinking rate jumped from 33.8 percent in 2015 to 42.1 percent last year.
Crates of alcoholic drinks are stacked near a restaurant in Jung District, central Seoul, on Aug. 18, 2025. [YONHAP]
Women in their 20s recorded the highest rate of binge drinking among women, with the figure remaining largely unchanged at 44.3 percent in 2014 and 44 percent last year.
Regarding drinking frequency, the most common response among men was “roughly once a week” at 31 percent, while among women, the most common response was “about once a month” at 14.8 percent.
“The gender gap in binge drinking has narrowed over the past decade as the rate among men declined while the rate among women increased,” the research team stated. “However, binge drinking among men, especially those in their 40s, remains high.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
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