Alcohol-related deaths in the UK have reached a record high, with 10,473 fatalities in 2023 linked to excessive drinking, according to new statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This marks a rise from the 10,048 deaths recorded in 2022, the first time the figure had ever surpassed 10,000.
The data highlights a continuing gender divide, with men more than twice as likely as women to die due to alcohol consumption. The impact also varies across the UK, with Scotland and Northern Ireland reporting higher rates of alcohol-related deaths compared to England and Wales. Within England, the north-east recorded the worst figures, with 25.7 deaths per 100,000 people, while the east of England had the lowest rate at 11.5 deaths per 100,000.
The sharp increase is expected to intensify pressure on the government and local councils to introduce stronger regulations on alcohol sales and advertising. Health campaigners are also likely to renew calls for improved access to addiction treatment services to combat the growing crisis.
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