Per capita alcohol consumption in South Korea has declined in recent years due to improved drinking culture, a trade association said Wednesday.

According to data by the Korea Alcohol & Liquor Industry Association, the alcohol consumption per South Korean aged 15 or older came to 9.18 liters in 2011, down 3.2 percent from 2007 when the association started compiling related data.

The fall stemmed from local drinking culture improved by increased interest in health since the late 2000s, the association said.

According to data by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, per-capita alcohol consumption in South Korea was 9 liters in 2011, with the country ranking 22nd among OECD members.

South Korea held the 13th ranking in per capita alcohol consumption among 188 members of World Health Organization in 2005, consuming 14.8 liter per person.

The consumption of hard liquor including soju and whiskey reached 6.06 liters in 2011, with that of beer coming to 1.99 liter and that of other alcoholic beverages such as wine amounting to 1.09 liter.

The consumption of soju, beer and whiskey represented 88.1 percent of the country’s overall alcohol consumption. Soju is South Korea’s traditional distilled liquor. (Yonhap News)