Close to 400 deaths caused by alcohol in NI in 2024

There were close to 400 alcohol-specific deaths registered in Northern Ireland in 2024, new statistics have shown.

The number of deaths caused by alcohol in the region has risen by 81.3% in a decade, from 219 in 2014 to 397 in 2024.

The British Medical Association described the latest figures as “alarming” and said they showed that minimum unit alcohol pricing legislation is needed in Northern Ireland.

The report from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) measures deaths from conditions known to be exclusively caused by alcohol.

In 2024, almost two-thirds (64.5%) of the 397 deaths were men.

The report said males accounted for 65.9% of alcohol-specific deaths registered between 2014 and 2024.

The alcohol-specific death rate for men in 2024 was 28.1 deaths per 100,000 population, and 14.9 for women.

The figures indicate that between 2014 and 2024, the alcohol-specific mortality rate for men increased by 51.1%, from 18.6 to 28.1 per 100,000.

The rate for women increased by 104.1%, from 7.3 per 100,000 to 14.9.

Nisra said that alcohol-specific deaths were more prevalent among the 45-54 and 55-64 age groups, which together accounted for 59.4% of all of those deaths registered in 2024.

The report said since 2014, alcoholic liver diseases had accounted for around two-thirds of alcohol-specific deaths, decreasing from 68.5% in 2014 to 64.7% in 2024.

Mental and behavioural disorders caused by use of alcohol had been the second-most common cause of death among alcohol-specific deaths over the same period, accounting for 15.4% of alcohol-specific deaths in 2024.

In 2024, Belfast Local Government District had the highest rate of alcohol-specific deaths of all areas in Northern Ireland at 31.1 per 100,000 population, followed by Derry City and Strabane (25.6).

The lowest rate in 2024 was recorded for Mid Ulster (12.0).

Looking over a five-year period, Nisra said there were almost four times as many alcohol-specific deaths in the most deprived areas compared with the least deprived areas.

Dr Clodagh Corrigan, deputy chair of BMA’s Northern Ireland Council, said: “These figures are alarming.

“Doctors see first-hand the devastating effects of prolonged alcohol abuse on the health of their patients as it is one of the most significant risk factors for cardiovascular health, cancer and mental health.

“This is why minimum unit alcohol pricing (MUP) legislation is needed in Northern Ireland.

“It is a cost-effective way to tackle alcohol-related harms and reduce health inequalities, particularly among populations in more deprived areas which, according to these latest statistics, have four times as many alcohol-specific deaths compared to the least deprived areas.”

Dr Corrigan added: “Alongside MUP legislation, it is essential that there is help available for those who want to address their drinking.

“That includes ensuring all healthcare professionals receive adequate training in identifying and delivering interventions into alcohol misuse and are supported to be able to deliver this in their roles.”

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt recently said he is “passionate” about introducing minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Northern Ireland but is experiencing “blockage” from his colleagues in the Executive.

The minister’s department undertook a public consultation exercise on setting a minimum price for alcohol in 2022 and Mr Nesbitt has previously stated that alcohol misuse costs Northern Ireland £900 million a year.