The number of Russians who don’t drink alcohol has nearly doubled over the past two decades, according to a poll published by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) on Monday.
Over 1,600 adults were surveyed over the phone last month, revealing that “more and more [Russians] demonstrate a commitment to a sober lifestyle.” The number of people who abstain from drinking has risen to 48%, up from 27% recorded in 2004.
”A marked shift has occurred in the culture of alcohol consumption in Russia,” VCIOM said. Generational changes, active anti-alcohol policies, and changes in what is perceived as fashionable were given as factors behind the shift.
Russians now also prefer lighter alcoholic drinks such as beer and wine instead of spirits such as vodka, VCIOM reported. Twenty years ago, 33% of respondents said they prefer vodka, but now only 11% say they do.
The main reason for drinking has remained unchanged, with 38% of Russians in 2024 and 2004 turning to alcohol to relieve stress.
According to VCIOM, drinking alcohol is now no longer widely perceived as part of Russian culture, with only 7% of respondents considering it a national tradition, as opposed to 20% in 2004.
In December, the Russian government introduced a new roadmap to reducing alcohol consumption by 12.3% per capita by 2030. The Health Ministry noted that under the previous 2009-2020 plan, alcohol consumption fell by nearly 49%.
The government has sought to reduce morbidity, disability, and mortality caused by alcohol consumption by promoting a healthy lifestyle and developing alcohol abuse prevention systems.
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