This indicator is currently being revised as new data is available.
The percentage of the population in Switzerland whose regular consumption of alcohol presents a medium to high health risk, fell between 2002 and 2017 from 6.1% to 4.7%. The reason for this is the decline in heavy chronic alcohol consumption among men, whereas among women it has remained practically unchanged.
Marked differences and changes over the entire period can be seen between all three language regions and age groups. The percentage of people with heavy chronic alcohol consumption is higher in French and Italian-speaking Switzerland than in German and Romansh-speaking Switzerland. However, a decline was seen from 11.5% (2002) to 7.4% (2017) in Italian-speaking Switzerland. In 2002, heavy chronic alcohol consumption rose in the whole of Switzerland with increasing age and fell again in retirement age. In 2017, this behaviour was at a minimum among 35 to 44 year-olds. After that age, the share of people with heavy chronic alcohol consumption rose again well into old age.
This indicator is part of the Monitoring System Addiction and NCD (MonAM) of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
Chronic, excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to health. It is responsible for various diseases such as coronary heart diseases, certain types of cancer, brain haemorrhages, serious depression and epilepsy. The consumption of alcohol can also lead to road accidents, suicide or acts of violence. Overall it significantly increases the risk of death. Furthermore alcohol problems affect not only the person directly concerned but also the people around them.
The indicator reveals the extent of chronic heavy alcohol consumption in Switzerland’s population and shows which groups are most at risk. It provides background information that is used to develop and carry out prevention programmes.
This indicator was calculated on the basis of data from the Swiss Health Survey on the daily average consumption of alcohol in grammes.
It shows the share of people aged 15 and older, living in private households, who indicate a daily average alcohol intake that represents a medium risk (women: 20 to 40g pure alcohol, i.e. 2 to 4 standard units, men: 40 to 60g, i.e. 4 to 6 standard units*) or a high risk to health (women: > 40g i.e. more than 4 standard units, men > 60g i.e. more than 6 standard units.
*1 standard unit = 1 glass of wine/beer/spirits = 10 to 12g pure alcohol.
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
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obsan@bfs.admin.ch
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