How much alcohol are people in Hong Kong drinking? Which drinks are falling out of favour, and which ones are bouncing back? We crunched the numbers from the past 20 years—so you don’t have to.
Based on consumption data from the Census and Statistics Department, Customs and Excise Department, and major local brewers, Hong Kong’s alcohol market can be broken down into three clear phases: a mid-2000s boom, a stable plateau through the mid-2010s, and a sharp decline beginning in 2019, accelerated by COVID-19 and changing consumer habits.
Beer’s Dominance and Wine’s Rollercoaster Ride
Beer remains the city’s most consumed alcoholic beverage, with total volume reaching 6.88 million litres in 2023—more than double that of wine (2.7 million litres), and comfortably ahead of spirits (5.5 million litres). But the real drama lies in the wine category.
In 2008, the Hong Kong government removed wine import tariffs—a move that immediately triggered a consumption surge. Wine volumes jumped from 1.58 million litres in 2008 to 3.55 million litres in 2009, marking the start of an unprecedented run. That growth continued until 2012, dipped slightly, and then soared again to peak at 4.9 million litres in 2017—the highest level on record.
That year, 2017, also marked the all-time high for overall alcohol consumption in the city, with 18.8 million litres consumed across all categories. Beer accounted for 8.1 million litres, spirits for 5.79 million litres, and wine closed the gap with its record-breaking performance.
Protest, Pandemic and New Reality
Then came the disruptions. In 2019, citywide protests curbed nightlife and on-premise consumption. The pandemic followed, closing bars and restaurants and cutting off inbound tourism—especially from mainland China, a major driver of luxury wine sales. Since then, total alcohol consumption has been on a downward trajectory.
Although beer and spirits have shown signs of recovery after pandemic restrictions lifted, wine consumption has continued to slide—from 3.8 million litres in 2021 to 2.7 million litres in 2023, its lowest level in over a decade.
Per Capita Consumption
It’s not just the total volume that’s fallen. According to the Department of Health, Hong Kong’s per capita alcohol consumption—calculated by dividing total intake by the adult population aged 15 and above—has also been shrinking. From its highs in 2012 and 2017, per capita intake dropped to just 2.24 litres in 2023, signalling a broader shift in lifestyle, preferences, and public health awareness.
Here’s also a more dynamic look at the city’s beer, spirits, wine consumption by the years.
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