Malta’s Teenage Girls Are Drinking More Than Boys, Report Finds
Teenage girls are drinking more than boys According to the 2024 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD).
17% of girls aged 15–16 reported being drunk in the past month, compared with 12% of boys, making Malta one of the few countries in Europe where female teen intoxication rates surpass males.
The survey, which tracks adolescent behaviours across 37 European countries and marks 30 years of monitoring, also found that 54% of boys and 52% of girls had consumed alcohol in the last 30 days. Despite this, a majority of Maltese teens, 74%, reported they had never consumed alcohol in their lives, highlighting that abstinence remains common.
Experts say this shift may reflect changing social habits and cultural attitudes toward drinking, particularly among girls. While overall alcohol use in Malta has declined over the years, gender patterns are evolving, contrasting with most of Europe, where boys typically report higher consumption and intoxication rates.
During a conference organised by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS), Minister for Social Policy and the Rights of the Child Michael Falzon discussed the findings, stressing the government’s ongoing commitment to school awareness campaigns.
He described vices as “a negative cycle that holds people back” and reaffirmed the importance of prevention efforts from a young age.
ESPAD 2024 highlights both progress and challenges: while Malta’s teens are drinking less than in previous decades, the rise in alcohol use among girls signals a need for targeted education and prevention strategies to ensure all young people make safe and informed choices.
While overall alcohol use among Maltese teens has declined over the years, the rise in drinking and intoxication among girls is a wake-up call.
Experts and policymakers stress that continued education, awareness campaigns, and prevention efforts are key to keeping young people safe and promoting healthier choices, ensuring that Malta’s teens can enjoy their youth without the risks that come with alcohol misuse.
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