Changing Attitudes Towards Alcohol Among Young People in China

For decades, alcohol has been a common element of both professional and social gatherings in China. However, a shift is occurring as younger generations increasingly choose to drink less or abstain altogether.

A photograph from 2024 shows a woman in Beijing sipping a tea beverage. This reflects a broader trend where many young Chinese are opting for reduced alcohol consumption. Reasons for this change include a focus on health, fitness, and cost savings.

Chen Xue, a makeup artist, notes the transformation she observes at weddings. She mentions that alcoholic toasts are becoming rare at these celebrations. “It’s perfectly normal,” Chen, 27, explains. She sees a preference emerging for alternatives like bubble tea over traditional champagne.