Why economists should like booze

A martini doesn’t just steady the nerves after a rollercoaster week

Sobriety is taking over the world. The amount of alcohol consumed globally is probably in decline for the first time in history. Across rich countries many members of Gen Z—born after the late 1990s—are shunning alcohol entirely: 30% of Americans in their 20s did not drink in the previous year. Even in France young professionals no longer have a pichet of wine with lunch.

This article appeared in the Finance & economics section of the print edition under the headline “Time for a stiff drink”

From the May 3rd 2025 edition

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