More Norwegian Women Drinking Heavily Than Before
Norwegian women are binge drinking at record levels according to new health data. The gender gap in alcohol consumption is narrowing despite increased public awareness of health risks. Most Norwegians still support the country's strict alcohol control policies.
New data shows Norwegian women are drinking more alcohol per session than at any time in the past 13 years. The findings come from the Norwegian Directorate of Health's latest alcohol report.
The proportion of women consuming large amounts of alcohol in one sitting has reached its highest level since 2012. Men's heavy drinking rates also increased from 59% to 63% consuming six or more alcohol units per session.
Senior researcher Jørgen Bramness at Oslo University Hospital said this trend has developed over several years. Men still drink more frequently than women, but the gender gap is narrowing. Bramness also serves as a psychiatry professor at the University of Tromsø.
Most Norwegians drink alcohol. Gender differences in weekly and monthly drinking patterns remained stable between 2012 and 2024. About 36% of men report weekly drinking compared to 25% of women.
Only 5.3% of men and 6.3% of women never drink alcohol. The report specifically highlights the growing percentage of women who binge drink on single occasions.
Norwegians show increased awareness about alcohol's health risks despite widespread consumption. Health Director Cathrine M. Lofthus noted public knowledge is improving, but challenges remain complex.
More Norwegians now recognize alcohol increases cancer risk. Fewer people believe daily wine consumption is healthy. Most citizens still support Norway's strict alcohol policies including the state-run Vinmonopolet liquor stores and high alcohol taxes.
Paradoxically, many Norwegians consider alcohol too expensive. Support for selling wine in grocery stores dropped from 52% in 2022 to 38% in 2024.
Eighty percent of Norwegians view clear parental boundaries and blood alcohol limits for driving as crucial harm reduction measures. Norway maintains some of Europe's strictest alcohol regulations through its government-controlled sales system.
The data reveals a concerning normalization of heavy drinking among Norwegian women, even as public health awareness improves. This contradiction suggests knowledge alone isn't changing behavior patterns.