Panel Data Analysis of Socioeconomic Factors and COVID-19’s Impact on Drinking Habits: Evidence from a Japanese Survey

Makoto Nakakita (), Naoki Kubota, Tomoki Toyabe, Sakae Oya and Teruo Nakatsuma
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Makoto Nakakita: Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, RIKEN, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan
Naoki Kubota: Faculty of Economics, Keio University, Tokyo 108-8345, Japan
Tomoki Toyabe: Faculty of Economics, Kanazawa Gakuin University, Ishikawa 920-1392, Japan
Sakae Oya: Centre for Finance, Technology and Economics at Keio, Keio University, Tokyo 108-8345, Japan
Teruo Nakatsuma: Faculty of Economics, Keio University, Tokyo 108-8345, Japan

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 5, 1-13

Abstract: Alcohol use is closely related to health, emotional state, and social behavior. However, no clear consensus exists on how socioeconomic factors influence drinking habits or how the COVID-19 pandemic affected alcohol use. This study examines these relationships in Japan using panel data from a questionnaire survey (2014–2022), consisting of 10,836 responses provided by 1289 respondents, and logistic regression analysis. The results revealed that males, individuals aged 40–69, cigarette smokers, and those who exercise regularly are more likely to drink alcohol, whereas those working at least 2 days per week, earning higher incomes, and in good health are less likely to drink alcohol. The impact of COVID-19 on drinking behavior varied by region, with significant effects observed in specific regions. Additionally, an identified decline in alcohol use since 2016 highlights rising health awareness and shifting values, particularly among younger generations. These findings underscore the strong association between drinking behavior and socioeconomic attributes and emphasize the need to consider regional differences in policy and cultural influences. Overall, this study provides key insights for future research and public health policies on alcohol use in Japan.

Keywords: alcohol use; socioeconomic factor; COVID-19; logit model; Bayesian estimation; Japan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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