Combining reports from Korean media such as the Korea Daily and the Korea Times, the Korea Disease Management Agency‘s report on drinking behavior showed that, contrary to popular perception, high-income, high-educated people had higher drinking rates and severe drinking rates. At the same time, the high-risk drinking rate of middle-aged women in Korea increased significantly. Korean experts believe this is mainly related to social activities such as workplace dinners.
According to the Korea Times, this survey was conducted based on the 2025 Korean Community Health Survey, covering about 230,000 adults aged 19 and above across the country. It focused on statistical analysis of three core indicators: monthly alcohol consumption rate, monthly heavy alcohol consumption rate, and high-risk alcohol consumption rate. The results showed that the above three indicators were 57.1%, 33.7%, and 12% for Korean adults, respectively.
Divided by household income, those with monthly income of 10 million won (1,000 won is about 4.6 yuan) and above had a monthly alcohol consumption rate of 63.3%, a monthly heavy alcohol consumption rate of 35.9%, and a high-risk alcohol consumption rate of 12.3%. All three indicators ranked first, and the higher the income, the higher the proportion.
By degree and occupation, the monthly alcohol consumption rate among undergraduates and above was 60.1% and 33.4% respectively, and the monthly heavy alcohol consumption rate among white-collar workers was 66.8% and 39.6% respectively.
The high-risk drinking rate was slightly different. The high-risk drinking rate for high school graduates was 12.9%, higher than 10.7% for undergraduates; for manual laborers, it was 16.6%. The Korea Disease Management Agency pointed out that unlike smokers who are more concentrated in low-income groups, drinking is more closely linked to social activities, and dining culture makes it easier for high-income, high-educated people to drink heavily.
Compared to 2016, the high-risk alcohol consumption rate for men of all ages decreased, but for women aged 30, 40 and 50, it rose to 19.1%, 31% and 13.2%, respectively.
Professor at Ewha Women‘s University explained that as women‘s opportunities to participate in workplace social activities and various social activities increased significantly, their drinking scenes also increased accordingly.