Monitoring the Future
1980-2000 Trend Data: A Social Norms PerspectiveCollege Students
One to Four Years Beyond High School
Conducted annually since 1980 by the University of Michigan for the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Monitoring the Future project continues to show a trend of consistent improvement in college drinking behavior. As the table below demonstrates:
- Students Continue to Drink Moderately
At no time during the past 20 years has heavy drinking been the norm among college students. - Students Do Not Drink Daily
The percentage of students who drink alcohol on a daily basis has always been very small and continues to decline. - The Number of Non-Drinkers Continues to Rise
The percentage of students who abstain from alcohol has consistently risen over the past 20 years.
| Year | n1 | Percentage of Non-Drinkers | Percentage Who Drink Moderately2 | Percentage Who Drink Daily |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 1040 | 9.5 | 56.1 | 6.5 |
| 1981 | 1130 | 7.5 Low | 56.4 | 5.5 |
| 1982 | 1150 | 7.8 | 56.0 | 6.1 |
| 1983 | 1170 | 8.4 | 56.9 | 6.1 |
| 1984 | 1110 | 10.0 | 54.6 Low | 6.6 High |
| 1985 | 1080 | 8.0 | 55.4 | 5.0 |
| 1986 | 1190 | 8.5 | 55.0 | 4.6 |
| 1987 | 1220 | 9.1 | 57.2 | 6.0 |
| 1988 | 1310 | 10.4 | 56.8 | 4.9 |
| 1989 | 1300 | 10.4 | 58.3 | 4.0 |
| 1990 | 1400 | 11.0 | 59.0 | 3.8 |
| 1991 | 1410 | 11.7 | 57.2 | 4.1 |
| 1992 | 1490 | 14.9 | 59.8 | 3.7 |
| 1993 | 1490 | 14.9 | 59.8 | 3.9 |
| 1994 | 1410 | 17.3 | 59.8 | 3.7 |
| 1995 | 1450 | 16.8 | 61.4 | 3.0 Low |
| 1996 | 1450 | 17.0 | 61.7 High | 3.2 |
| 1997 | 1480 | 17.6 High | 59.3 | 4.5 |
| 1998 | 1440 | 15.4 | 61.1 | 3.9 |
| 1999 | 1440 | 16.4 | 60.0 | 4.5 |
| 2000 | 1350 | 16.8 | 60.7 | 3.6 |
Notes
1. "n" refers to the sample size.
2. Monitoring the Future reports the percentage of students who consumed 5 or more drinks in a row at least once in the two-week period prior to completing the survey. We have used this figure to calculate the percentage of students who are moderate drinkers, i.e., who consumed 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 drinks on an occasion during the last two weeks.
A Note on the Monitoring the Future Project:
Conducted annually by the University of Michigan for the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Monitoring the Future is an ongoing study of the behaviors, attitudes, and values of American secondary school students, college students, and young adults. An online summary of the trend data referenced above is available (in pdf format) at: Monitoring the Future, Volume II: College Students and Adults Ages 19-40 (2000).
For additional information, see: The Website of the Monitoring the Future Project.
Return to Norms of Moderation and Safety:College Students and Alcohol
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