Young people’s consumption habits are changing

The large-sample youth survey has been examining the prevalence of risk behaviors (such as smoking, alcohol, and drug use) among young people since the turn of the millennium. Based on the latest data, the outlook is not optimistic—government-level restrictive measures are needed to curb negative trends.

One in five young people consumes energy drinks daily

The number of young people consuming energy drinks has steadily increased over the past decade. In 2012, the proportion of daily consumers was just 3%; today, that figure has multiplied sixfold to 18%. Daily consumption is more common among younger age groups (22% of 15–19-year-olds and 20% of 20–24-year-olds), males (19%), people living in villages (23%), and those with lower educational attainment (21% of those with only primary education, and 24% of those with secondary education without a diploma).

The declining trend in smoking has reversed

The most recent results from the large-sample youth survey show that the downward trend in daily smoking observed since 2004 has come to a halt. In 2020, 17% of 15–29-year-olds smoked daily; by 2024, this figure had risen to 19% (among 30–34-year-olds, the rate is 25%). It is also important to highlight the growing popularity of new forms of smoking. One in ten people aged 15–34 uses electronic cigarettes at least weekly, and although still low in prevalence, the use of products like snus and Elf Bars is also detectable.

One in ten Hungarian youth consumes alcohol at least weekly

The proportion of alcohol consumption among youth shows no significant change. As in previous years, 10% of 15–29-year-olds consume alcohol at least once a week.

Three in ten young people can easily access drugs

While the large-sample youth survey does not measure the overall societal prevalence of drug use, it has regularly assessed perceived accessibility to drugs and the estimated proportion of users among friends and acquaintances since 2016. At that time, 36% of 15–29-year-olds believed they could easily obtain drugs if they wanted to; this figure decreased to 31% in 2020, and to 30% in the most recent survey.

Previous studies by the Youth Research Institute show that young people continue to see drug use as one of the most pressing issues affecting their generation, and the majority are opposed to legalization. Among 15–29-year-olds, 68% support stricter regulations.

About the large-sample youth survey

In the autumn of 2024, 5,000 personal interviews were conducted as part of the large-sample youth survey. The sample is representative of Hungary’s 15–34-year-old population based on gender, age, education level, type of settlement, and region. The 2024 wave of the large-sample youth survey was led by Századvég.