Koreans appear to be drinking less, with domestic alcohol shipments falling below 3 million kiloliters for the first time in 27 years.
According to National Tax Service statistics, shipments totaled 2.988 million kiloliters last year, down 21.5% from 3.804 million kiloliters in 2015.
Beer, Korea’s largest alcohol category by volume, saw shipments fall 7.2% from the previous year to 1.519 million kiloliters.
Soju dropped 2.8% to 793,000 kiloliters, while makgeolli shipments have declined for five straight years.
The numbers point to a longer-term change in Korea’s drinking habits rather than simply a bad year for alcohol sales.
Health concerns are one reason, but demographics are also playing a role as Korea’s population ages and declines.
Changes in workplace culture have also reduced the importance of drinking.
The shift can also be seen in Korea’s nightlife districts.
Bars and pubs that once depended heavily on after-work crowds have faced a tougher environment, with fewer people staying out late and some longtime establishments closing.
Korean university students have also been drinking less than in previous years, adding to the decline.
While drinking remains an important part of social life in Korea, the days when a night out automatically meant several rounds of drinks appear to be fading.
