Alcohol consumption by the Russian population: spatial, age and gender features

The article presents an analysis of spatial, age and gender differences in alcohol consumption by the country’s population. Based on the data of the Russian monitoring of the economic situation and health of the population for 1994-2019, we have revealed a sharp jump in the proportion of people who consumed alcohol in all types of settlements in 2006, due to an increase in effective demand. The research shows that citizens use vodka more often, but in smaller single portions, compared to residents of other localities. The consumption of moonshine is higher in small towns and villages, where people drink more often and in large single portions. The smaller the locality, the more the proportion of women, consumed alcohol during the period under review (from 33.4% in cities to 49.6% in urban settlements and 54.7% in rural areas). The share of men drinking in the city has increased by 7.0%, in rural areas it has decreased by 4.8%. Age-related consumption features are associated with the predominance of beer and wine consumption among young people aged 18-25 with a gradual increase in the proportion of vodka and moonshine as the age increases. We have noted a decrease in the age of the first alcohol sample in each subsequent generation. The paper proves that young people aged 18-25 are more likely to drink alcoholic beverages on the street, in parks and bars, often before meals and without food, while older people are at home and/ or visiting and during meals. We have revealed the main patterns of alcohol consumption (“for joy” and “out of despair”) and their gender features in settlements of different populousness. The results can serve as a basis for differentiating measures to combat alcohol abuse, aimed at different sociodemographic groups.