Alcohol and the Scottish economy

4.9% of the Scottish economy (£8.1bn) can be attributed to the sale of alcohol, around 60% of which comes from whisky exports.
99% of whisky produced in Scotland is exported.
Alcohol’s share of employment (2.4%) is half its share of GDP because whisky production is not labour intensive.
Around half of the 60,000 Scottish jobs related to alcohol are in pubs, bars and restaurants – these are some of the lowest paying jobs in the economy.
The societal costs of alcohol go far beyond the £1.2bn estimated economic cost – including the £ value put on lost life, the costs are comparable to alcohol’s contribution to GDP – amounting to between £5-10bn.
Scots drink considerably more wine, beer and vodka than we do whisky.

Economic costs of alcohol-related harms:

Health and social care-related societal costs arising from alcohol in Scotland are estimated to be between £500 million and £700 million each year. [1]
Problematic alcohol use is estimated to cost the Scottish economy £3.56 billion annually.[2]

Research indicates that the alcohol industry heavily relies on heavy drinkers for a substantial portion of its revenue. Specifically, the top 4% of drinkers, who consume at harmful levels (over 35 units per week for women and over 50 units per week for men), account for approximately 23% of alcohol sales revenue. Moreover, the 25% of the population drinking above the low-risk guideline of 14 units per week contribute to 68% of the industry’s revenue.^[3]
To challenge regulations and policy that would reduce alcohol consumption, the industry has adopted several tactics over the years, which include: denying or playing down the evidence of harms linked to alcohol, positioning themselves as part of the solution with self-funded voluntary partnerships such as Drinkaware, distorting messaging about the health risks and harms of alcohol, such as the link with cancer, and giving gifts, benefits and hospitality to Politicians to win their favour.
Learn more: Killer Tactics
In 2024, The WHO issued a new guidance on engaging with the private sector for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, including the harms caused by alcohol. [4]