Sweden: Immigrants drink less than Swedes

First generation immigrants tend to drink considerably less than men and women born in Sweden. But the longer people live in Sweden the more likely it is that their consumption will increase.

A study carried out by a centre for alcohol and drugs research at Stockholm University suggests that the amount of alcohol consumed is related to a person's ethnic origin.
A total of 5,400 people took part in the study, all of whom were first generation immigrants.

The participants were divided into four groups, all of which displayed a lower level of alcohol consumption than people born in Sweden.

"The biggest difference was between people born in Sweden and people from countries with Muslim majorities, where consumption is very low.

"Furthermore, the latter almost never drink to become intoxicated," said Tove Axelsson Solberg, the woman behind the study.

For those born in other Nordic countries, consumption is almost as high as for Swedes.

People from the rest of Europe drink less than those from Nordic countries when they settle in Sweden.

Moderation is greater still among immigrants from Latin America, non-Muslim African countries, USA and Australia.

It should however be noted that the research is still in its infancy.

Source: The Local (English)

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