Mapped - the parts of the UK where you’re most likely to die from alcohol

Record numbers of people are dying from alcohol-specific causes in the UK with the rate of drink-related deaths surging by a third since the Covid pandemic - and you can use our map below to find out what the rate is near you. There were 10,048 alcohol-specific deaths in the UK in 2022, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics, up from just over 7,500 deaths in 2019.

Deaths which occur as a direct consequence of alcohol misuse increased rapidly after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and the latest figures show a “continuation of that trend”, experts said. This is 32.8% higher than in 2019 when there were 7,565 deaths and 4.2% higher than in 2021, when there were 9,641 alcohol-specific deaths.

ONS health statistician David Mais said: “Alcohol-specific deaths rose sharply with the onset of the pandemic, and today’s results show a continuation of that trend, with deaths around a third higher than in 2019,” said ONS health statistician David Mais.

“Research has suggested that people who were already drinking at high levels before the pandemic were the most likely to have increased their drinking during this period. This is likely a factor in the increase in alcohol-specific deaths registrations we have seen in 2022. Alcoholic liver disease was the leading cause of these deaths, and as with previous years, rates are much higher among men.”

You can see how your local area compares by using our interactive map:

The shocking increase has further widened a North-South divide which sees alcohol killing people in Scotland and the North East of England at twice the rate of those living in London and the South East. There were 1,276 alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland in 2022, which works out as 22.6 for every 100,000 people living there.The North East of England had 576 deaths, equivalent to 21.5 for every 100,000 people.

By contrast, London had 837 alcohol-specific deaths, which works out as 9.4 for every 100,000 people. That’s the lowest rate of any region in the UK.

The East of England had 687 alcohol-specific deaths, equivalent to 10.7 per 100,000, while the South East had 1,065 deaths (11.4 per 100,000), the South West had 736 (12.8 per 100,000).

The North West had 1,334 alcohol deaths in 2022 (a rate of 17.7), Yorkshire and The Humber had 926 (a rate of 16.7), West Midlands had 989 (a rate of 16.4), and the East Midlands had 762 (a rate of 15.4).

Lancaster has the highest rate of any local authority in England and Wales. There were a total of 43 alcohol-specific deaths in Lancaster in 2022. That works out as 29.8 per 100,000 people in the area. South Tyneside had 44 alcohol-specific deaths, which works out as 29.6 per 100,000 people.

Chorley had the next highest rate at 27.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, followed by Derby (24.3), Blackpool (24.0), Sefton (23.8), Sunderland (23.8), and Darlington (23.8). Alcohol-specific deaths only include those health conditions where each death is a direct consequence of alcohol, such as alcoholic liver disease. It does not include all deaths that can be attributed to alcohol.

A spokesperson from the Department of Health said: “We are working to prevent alcohol deaths by ensuring people are given clear and accurate advice about the potential risks that are posed by drinking above the guidelines, including encouraging people to try more low and no-alcohol drinks.

“In addition, through our 10-year alcohol and drug strategy, supported by £532 million, we are helping up to 54,500 more people receive drug and alcohol treatment, and we are also funding specialist alcohol care teams at one in four hospitals in England.”

Dr Richard Piper, Chief Executive of Alcohol Change UK, said: “There were 10,048 deaths from alcohol in 2022 in the UK – an all-time high, up 4.2% on the previous year, and 32.8% higher than when compared to 2019. Each one of those deaths is a tragedy, representing a person who has had their life cut short and has left behind people who are grieving and miss them every day. We send our deepest sympathies to all those families and friends who have lost a loved one.

“Years of inaction on alcohol harm has led to this, and the heartbreaking thing is these deaths were totally avoidable. Our government has the responsibility and the power to put preventative measures in place, including proper regulation of alcohol marketing, clearer alcohol labelling, and a minimum price for a unit of alcohol. As part of a clear, long-term strategy to improve our health, these measures can prevent alcohol harm, protecting individuals, family members, communities and society – and crucially save lives in the future.”

Lancaster MP Cat Smith said: “Alcohol harm affects individuals, families and our communities. We have seen years of inaction on addressing these harms and these statistics are sadly a consequence of that.

“It shocks me how openly alcohol can be advertised, how difficult alcohol promotion can be to avoid in our supermarkets and I would like to see minimum unit pricing in place. Alcohol addiction is a disease which affects many families and more support for groups that help people beat addiction is needed.

“Unlike many other addictions, addiction to alcohol can be particularly difficult to live with when our culture is so entwined with drink. We could all do well to consider how we behave, talk and use language to help those living with addiction avoid alcohol. As for politicians, we need to fund services properly which support those who need to beat it.”

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chairman of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK, said: “We are in the midst of a public health crisis and the lack of government action to prevent the lives lost and resulting devastation for families, friends and communities is a shameful failure in public policy.

“Despite what we are often told by the alcohol industry, the evidence shows it’s a complete myth that this is a problem for only a small minority. Alcohol is cheaper, more available and more heavily marketed today than ever before.

“As the death toll reaches record levels, so do the profits of the multibillion-pound drinks industry. With the NHS already under severe pressure, we cannot continue on the current trajectory.

“The warning sirens are ringing, and whichever party forms the government at the next election must prepare to step up with a comprehensive alcohol strategy. This must include restrictions on marketing, availability and pricing – all of which are proven to reduce the harm caused by alcohol.”

Local authority: Alcohol-specific deaths in 2022 per 100k residents

• Lancaster: 29.8

• South Tyneside: 29.6

• Chorley: 27.8

• Derby: 24.3

• Blackpool: 24

• Sefton: 23.8

• Sunderland: 23.8

• Darlington: 23.8

• Middlesbrough: 23.6

• Wyre Forest: 23.5

• Bury: 23.1

• Great Yarmouth: 23

• Torbay: 22.9

• Fylde: 22.9

• North Tyneside: 22.8

• North Warwickshire: 22.7

• Caerphilly / Caerffili: 22.7

• Torfaen / Tor-faen: 22.6

• Nuneaton and Bedworth: 22.1

• Chesterfield: 22.1