UK Alcohol-related deaths rise in 2010

In 2010 there were 8,790 alcohol-related deaths in the UK, 126 more than in 2009 (8,664). The increase was accounted for by males, female deaths falling slightly compared with the previous year. Since 2000, alcohol-related death rates have tended to increase in both sexes and in all regions. In England, death rates are highest in the North East and the North West. However, the rates in England as a whole are lower than in Wales, and they are still higher in Scotland.

The main findings from the Office of National Statistics are:

There are more alcoholrelated deaths in males than in females, with 67 per cent of all alcohol-related deaths in the UK in 2010 being male

Alcohol-related death rates were highest for those aged 55-74 and lowest for those aged under 35 over the last ten years

UK males aged 55-74 years showed a sharp and statistically significant increase in alcohol-related death rate from 41.8 per 100,000 in 2009 to 45.2 per 100,000 in 2010

Alcohol-related death rates varied between the regions of England and tended to be highest in the North and lowest in the East of England over the last ten years

Within England and Wales, alcohol-related death rates are higher in Wales. In 2010 this difference was statistically significant.

Alcohol related death rates 2000-2010

Alcohol related death rates by age group, males, 2000-2010

Alcohol related death rates by age group, females, 2000-2010

Source of graphs:
Office for national Statistics, National Records of Scotland, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency