Despite experiencing an over 8% decline in the number of pubs over the past decade, Ireland continues to rank third globally in terms of pubs per capita, according to a recent study.

The report, titled “Alcohol: availability, affordability, related harm, and policy in Ireland” by the Health Research Board (HRB), sheds light on drinking patterns and access to alcohol in the country. It highlights Ireland's significant presence of pubs despite a notable decrease in their numbers.

With a total of 7,486 pub licenses issued or renewed in Ireland between 2022 and 2023, representing an 8.2% decrease since 2012–13, the country remains among the top nations in terms of pubs per head of population. Slovakia and Hungary hold the top two positions, respectively.

The decline in pub numbers has been particularly pronounced in rural areas, with counties like Monaghan, Roscommon, and Waterford experiencing substantial decreases. However, Dublin saw no change, and Meath witnessed a slight increase.

In contrast to the decline in pub licenses, the number of off-licenses has risen by 7.7% over the same period, contributing to a 4.6% increase in the total number of liquor licenses issued since 2012–13.

Despite the decrease in pub numbers, alcohol consumption remains a significant concern. The report indicates that in 2023, a total of 42,266,785 liters of pure alcohol were sold for consumption in Ireland. Per capita alcohol use amounted to 9.9 liters of pure alcohol per person, reflecting a 2.9% decrease from the previous year.

However, for drinkers aged 15 years and older, alcohol consumption remains high at 14.1 liters of pure alcohol per person in 2023, surpassing the Department of Health's target of reducing per capita alcohol consumption to 9.1 liters.

Dr. Mairéad O’Driscoll, Chief Executive of the HRB, highlighted the positive trend of increasing numbers of people choosing not to drink and the decline in per capita consumption. However, concerns remain regarding the accessibility of alcohol, particularly in deprived communities where a greater density of licensed premises is observed.

Anne Doyle, HRB research officer and lead author of the report, emphasized the importance of addressing accessibility to alcohol, especially in areas where evidence suggests a higher likelihood of experiencing alcohol-related harms despite lower consumption rates.

The findings underscore the need for ongoing efforts to monitor and address alcohol-related issues, promoting responsible consumption and ensuring equitable access to support and services across communities.