Week 12 2025

More young people are asked for ID when buying alcohol – and fewer find alcohol easy accessible

New figures show that more young people are being asked to show ID when attempting to buy alcohol. At the same time, fewer find it easy to get hold of beer and spirits, and according to a researcher, this suggests that the authorities’ tightened control measures are starting to have an effect. However, there is still room for improvement.

The proportion of young people who report often or always being asked for ID when buying alcohol in supermarkets has increased significantly since 2022. At the same time, fewer young people find it easy to buy alcohol.

This is shown in a new report from the National Institute of Public Health.

Among 15-year-olds, the proportion who, that they often or always have to show ID when attempting to buying alcohol in a supermarket has risen from 16 percent in 2022 to 27 percent in 2024.

For 16-17-year-olds, the proportion has increased from 14 to 27 percent, while among 18-24-year-olds, it has risen from 8 to 14 percent.

Fewer young people find it easy to obtain alcohol

The study also shows a clear trend regarding young people’s perception of how easy it is to get hold of beer and spirits. The proportion of young people who believe it would be easy or very easy has decreased.

For example, the proportion of 15-year-olds who think it is easy get hold of beer has fallen from 76 percent in 2022 to 68 percent in 2024.

For spirits, the proportion among 15-year-olds has decreased from 41 to 34 percent in the same period. A similar decline is seen among 16-17-year-olds, where the proportion who believe it is easy to get hold of spirits has dropped from 60 percent in 2022 to 53 percent in 2024.

Increased control of age limits

According to researcher Veronica Pisinger from the National Institute of Public Health, the figures suggest that the prevention plan targeting young people’s alcohol consumption, which several political parties in the Danish Parliament presented in November 2023, is now beginning to take effect.

Among other things, enforcement of the age limits for alcohol sales has been tightened, and since July 1, 2024, the Danish Safety Technology Authority has had the authority to use underage test purchasers in stores.

"Our results indicate that the increased opportunities for control granted to the Danish Safety Technology Authority have had an effect, making it easier to check whether the rules are being enforced. More young people are experiencing ID checks, which could help limit alcohol sales to minors," says Veronica Pisinger, who emphasizes that there is still room for improvement.

"Although we see a positive trend, there is still a long way to go. Less than one-third of under-18s report that they often or always have to show ID when buying alcohol in supermarkets. This suggests that enforcement could be strengthened further."

About the study

The study is the third of its kind and is based on survey responses from 12,965 young people aged 15-24. Data was collected in autumn 2024 and compared with the two previous surveys from 2022 and 2023.

Researchers will continue to monitor developments as more of the initiatives from the prevention plan are implemented.

Figure 1 shows a decline in the proportion of young people who believe it would be easy or very easy to get hold of beer, from 76 percent in 2022 to 68 percent in 2024 among 15-year-olds, while the proportions among 16-17-year-olds and 18-24-year-olds remain relatively unchanged over the three years.

Figure 2 shows a decline in the proportion of young people who believe it would be easy or very easy to get hold of spirits, from 41 percent in 2022 to 34 percent in 2024 among 15-year-olds, and from 60 percent to 53 percent among 16-17-year-olds. The proportions among 18-24-year-olds remain relatively unchanged over the three years.