Australians appear to be drinking less alcohol now than at any time in the past 50 years, according to figures released on Wednesday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The ABS found there there were 9.7 litres of pure alcohol available for consumption for every Australian aged 15 years and over in 2013-14 - the equivalent of 2.1 standard drinks per person per day.

Fifty years ago, beer accounted for three quarters of all alcohol consumed, but now makes up 41 per cent. Credit:Arsineh Houspian

ABS spokeswoman Louise Gates said this was the lowest level of alcohol consumption since the early 1960s.

The estimates of "apparent consumption" are based on information related to supply, such as excise data on alcohol produced for domestic consumption, and data on imports.