Meat consumption is a hot topic these days, with growing concerns over animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and personal health. An increasing number of people around the world are deciding to cut back on meat or eliminate it from their diets altogether. But what percent of the global population actually eats no meat at all? Getting accurate data on vegetarianism and veganism rates worldwide can be tricky, but surveys and studies conducted over the past decade give us a general sense of the numbers. In this in-depth article, we’ll look at the latest statistics and trends regarding meat consumption and abstinence globally and by region. We’ll also explore some of the key factors driving the growth or decline of vegetarian and vegan diets worldwide.
Quick Facts
– Approximately 5-10% of the global population identifies as vegetarian. This translates to around 500 million to 1 billion vegetarians worldwide as of 2022.
– 1-2% of the world’s population identifies as vegan, or about 78 to 160 million people as of 2022.
– India has the largest vegetarian population in the world, with 30-40% eating a vegetarian diet.
– The highest ratios of vegetarians by population are found in India, Taiwan, Indonesia, Brazil, Israel, and Europe.
– Meat consumption has nearly doubled worldwide since 1961, but peaked in recent years and is now declining in many Western nations.
– Plant-based dieting and meat reduction is rising, especially among millennials and Gen Z.
Current Statistics on Vegetarianism Rates Worldwide
Determining exact percentages of vegetarians and vegans globally is difficult, in part because different studies use different definitions. Some surveys look specifically at people who avoid all meat, while others count people who avoid red meat but still eat chicken or fish. Cultural and translation differences also complicate global analysis. However, we can piece together data from major studies over the past decade to get a general sense of vegetarianism rates worldwide.
According to a number of surveys conducted between 2015-2022, approximately 5-10% of the world’s population identifies as vegetarian. This includes people who abstain from meat entirely or restrict meat consumption to infrequent occasions. Using the global population estimate for 2022 of about 8 billion people, the number of vegetarians worldwide would translate to between 400 million and 800 million individuals.
The rate of vegetarianism varies significantly by country and region. For example, India, a country with a large Hindu population and ancient traditions of vegetarianism, has an estimated 30-40% vegetarian rate. This gives India the largest absolute vegetarian population of any country. In Europe, vegetarian rates range from 5-15% across different countries. The UK, Germany, and Switzerland are on the higher end with 10-15% avoiding meat. In Israel, around 13% of the population abstains from meat according to recent surveys. Other countries with notably high ratios of vegetarians include Taiwan, Brazil, Mexico, Vietnam, South Africa, and Indonesia.
In the United States and Canada, rates of vegetarianism and veganism remain lower than most countries at around 5-8% of the total population. However, these numbers have been rising over the past two decades. From the late 1990s to the early 2010s, the rates of Americans claiming to eat no meat doubled from 1-2% to 5%. Canada has seen similar growth in vegetarianism and plant-based eating.
Globally, an estimated 1-2% of the world’s population identifies as vegan according to recent studies. This means around 78 to 160 million vegans worldwide as of 2022. As with vegetarianism, vegan rates vary across different countries and regions. The UK, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Israel, and the United States tend to have the highest ratios of vegans at 2-7% of the population. In lower income regions such as Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, rates of veganism remain below 1% on average.
Key Takeaways
– 5-10% of the global population is vegetarian (~500 million to 1 billion people)
– 1-2% of the world is vegan (~78 to 160 million people)
– Highest ratios of vegetarians found in India, Taiwan, Indonesia, Brazil, Israel, Europe
– U.S. and Canada have lower but rising rates around 5-8%
Meat Consumption Trends
To understand the rise of vegetarian and vegan diets, it’s important to look at the overall trends in global meat production and consumption. An analysis shows that total meat supply worldwide has nearly doubled since 1961, increasing from around 70 million tonnes annually to more than 330 million tonnes as of 2018. This reflects both population growth and increased per capita meat consumption, especially in emerging economies.
However, meat consumption on a global scale peaked around 2016 and has declined slightly in recent years. The highest consumption levels remain concentrated in wealthier regions like North America, Europe, and Oceania. But the growth in meat eating has slowed since the 2000s, even declining in some Western nations.
For example, beef consumption in the United States hit a high point in the 1970s and has decreased notably over the past decade, dropping around 12% from 2005 to 2019. Changes are being driven by health concerns over red meat, lower prices of plant-based alternatives, and generational shifts in attitudes.
At the same time, the market for meat alternatives has skyrocketed, growing at double-digit percentage rates year over year. Plant-based meat sales jumped 37% in the U.S. in the past two years, while oat milk sales rose a whopping 686%. Nielsen data shows 98% of people buying plant-based products also buy animal meat, suggesting meat reduction rather than full vegetarianism or veganism.
Key Trends
– Global meat supply has nearly doubled since 1961, but peaked around 2016.
– Highest meat consumption found in North America, Europe, and Oceania.
– U.S. beef consumption decreased ~12% between 2005-2019.
– Market for meat alternatives is rapidly growing worldwide.
– Full vegetarianism/veganism is rising slowly, but meat reduction is rising quickly.
Factors Driving Changes in Meat Consumption
What factors are driving the rise of meatless and plant-based diets globally, even as total meat consumption remains high? There are several interrelated dietary, ethical, environmental, and health shifts changing consumer behaviors and attitudes.
Animal Welfare Concerns
Increased activism over animal rights and welfare on factory farms has impacted consumer consciousness. Documentaries like Food, Inc. exposed standard practices in industrial meat production that spurred ethical unease, like tight confinement of livestock in cages and crates. Consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z, are more likely to seek out animal welfare labels like “cage-free” or “free range.”
Environmental Motivations
Growing awareness of meat’s ecological impacts also motivates reductions. The FAO estimates livestock production accounts for 14.5% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Large-scale beef and cattle production drives deforestation, especially in Latin America. Consumers reducing meat intake for environmental reasons is rising across many surveys.
Health Interests
Evidence linking heavy red meat consumption with increased heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and mortality risk also drives shifts. Guidelines encourage limiting processed and unprocessed red meat intake to less than 3-4 weekly servings. Interest in the health benefits of plant-based eating is rising according to Google Trends data.
Mainstreaming of Vegetarian/Vegan Diets
Increased availability and variety of meat alternatives, like plant-based burgers and nuggets, makes reducing meat easier for flexitarians. Meatless options on restaurant menus have proliferated, normalizing vegetarian dining. Many regions have seen double-digit rises in vegan offerings at restaurants and grocers.
Key Factors
– Animal welfare concerns over factory farming conditions
– Meat’s high environmental impacts
– Health risks of excessive red meat intake
– Mainstreaming of vegetarianism and plant-based eating
Regional Breakdown of Vegetarianism Rates
Let’s take a closer look at vegetarianism rates broken down by region across the globe. This data provides more nuance on where high and low concentrations of vegetarian eaters can be found.
Asia-Pacific
– India: 30-40% vegetarianism rate
– Taiwan: Around 20% vegetarian rate
– Indonesia: Around 10% vegetarian rate
– Vietnam: 9-10% vegetarian rate
– China: 4-5% vegetarian rate
– Australia: Around 11% vegetarian
– New Zealand: Around 10% vegetarian
Europe
– UK: Roughly 10% vegetarian and 2% vegan
– Germany: Around 10% vegetarian and 1-2% vegan
– Switzerland: 10% vegetarian, one of Europe’s highest rates
– Sweden: 5% vegetarian, 10% flexitarian
– France: Around 4-7% vegetarian
– Eastern Europe: Less than 5% vegetarian on average
Americas
– U.S.: 5-8% vegetarian, 3% vegan
– Canada: 9% vegetarian, 2% vegan
– Brazil: 14% vegetarian
– Chile: 8-9% vegetarian
– Argentina: Around 6-9% vegetarian
– Mexico: Around 7% vegetarian
Africa and Middle East
– Israel: 5% vegan, 8% vegetarian
– South Africa: Estimated 8-9% vegetarian
– Middle East overall: Under 2% vegetarian
– Africa overall: Under 5% vegetarian typically
Demographic Differences in Vegetarianism
In addition to geographic patterns, there are revealing demographic divides in who identifies as vegetarian worldwide. Vegetarian rates correlate significantly with age, gender, education level, and socioeconomic status.
Several major surveys have found vegetarianism to be more prevalent among the youth, especially those under age 40. For example, a 2018 Gallup poll found 10% of American adults 18 to 29 identified as vegetarian, compared to just 4% of seniors over 65. In the UK, people aged 15 to 34 were 3 times as likely to identify as vegetarian versus the over 65 population. Higher youth engagement has been attributed to animal rights and environmental motivations.
Women are also markedly more likely to avoid meat than men across nations. A 2021 YouGov survey found 7% of UK women identified as vegetarian versus just 3% of UK men. In Canada, vegetarianism rates are similarly 7% for women and 4% for men. Social factors may explain much of this gender gap. Eating meat has traditionally been associated with masculinity in many cultures.
Higher rates of vegetarianism also correlate to higher levels of education and income. Those with a university degree and above average earnings are consistently more likely to reduce meat consumption. Social scientists theorize this links to awareness of health consequences as well as concerns over environmental ethics and farm animal welfare.
Finally, identify as a vegetarian or vegan remains very rare among some demographics, including those living in rural areas and politically conservative regions. For example, vegetarian rates range from just 2 to 3% in rural farm states in the U.S., while coastal urban areas may reach 13 to 15%.
Key Demographic Trends
– Higher rates among youth under 40
– Women more likely to be vegetarian than men
– Increases with education and income levels
– Lowest rates found in rural and politically conservative areas
Projecting the Future of Global Vegetarianism
Given the recent trajectories, what does the future look like for vegetarian and plant-based eating globally? Continued growth is expected in coming decades, but meat eating will remain dominant in most parts of the world. Here are some predictions regarding key trends:
Meat reduction will outpace complete vegetarianism. Full elimination of meat requires significant effort for most people, but reducing meat intake by a meal per week, or adopting flexitarian patterns, is rising rapidly. This can make a substantial environmental impact. Surveys suggest around a third of Americans are intentionally limiting meat already.
Developing nations may drive further declines in meat consumption. As middle class populations grow in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, a desire for Western-style meat heavy diets is diminishing. Younger generations are leading a nutrition transition toward plant-based foods.
Cultured meat will become commercially available, satisfying some demand for meat from sustainability-minded consumers. Advances in cellular agriculture allow animal cells to be grown into meat products without slaughter. Commercialization is projected in the mid 2020s, with slow initial market penetration.
Plant-based and clean meat innovation will continue disrupting animal agriculture. Startups and food giants will continue innovating options that replicate the taste, texture, and nutrition of animal proteins. This competition will likely drive down real meat demand.
Regulations and carbon pricing may curb meat production. Governments incentivizing lower-carbon food choices through subsidies or penalties could significantly impact meat supply chains. However, industry resistance makes this change politically difficult in major economies.
India and China will remain meat consumption wildcards. As rising incomes allow greater meat access in these populous countries, the scales could tip toward reductions or massive increases. Cultural factors and government agricultural policies will play key roles.
Conclusion
While vegetarian and vegan diets remain a minority globally, rates have clearly risen from the late 1990s. Approximately 5 to 10% of the world’s 8 billion people currently eat no meat or fish, equating to 400 million to 800 million vegetarians worldwide. An additional 1 to 2% identify as fully vegan. These ratios are considerably higher in certain demographics and regions, such as India where 30 to 40% eats no meat.
Meat consumption has also peaked in recent years, with reductions driven by health concerns, ethics, sustainability, and interest in plant-based alternatives. While the world is far from going fully meatless, flexitarian part-time vegetarianism is rising quickly. Continued innovation in meat alternatives and potential government interventions suggest reductions could accelerate. At the same time, developing countries remain wildcard regions where meat consumption may increase or decrease dramatically in coming decades.
