Estimated Numbers of Vegetarians and Vegans Worldwide
Vegetarianism and veganism have been gaining popularity in recent years, with more and more people choosing to adopt plant-based diets for various reasons, including health, environmental concerns, and animal welfare. But just how many people are vegans or vegetarians worldwide? Let’s take a closer look at the scholarly estimates.
British Adults’ Dietary Preferences
While the exact share of British adults who identify as vegetarian, vegan, or flexitarian is not specified in the available scholarly research, there is evidence to suggest that the number is on the rise. According to a survey conducted by The Vegan Society in 2018, the number of vegans in the UK had quadrupled in the previous four years, with approximately 600,000 people identifying as vegans at the time of the survey.
US Adults’ Dietary Preferences
In the United States, a Gallup poll conducted in 2018 found that 5% of American adults identified as vegetarian, while 2% identified as vegan. This indicates that approximately 7% of the US adult population follows a vegetarian or vegan diet. The same poll also revealed that the majority of vegetarians and vegans in the US are women.
Global Dietary Preferences
A wider poll conducted by Ipsos Mori in 2018 spanned 28 countries and provided a more global perspective on dietary preferences. According to this survey, 5% of respondents identified as vegetarian, 3% as vegan, and an additional 3% as pescetarian. This suggests that approximately 11% of the global population follows a vegetarian, vegan, or pescetarian diet.
Vegetarianism in India
India has a long-standing tradition of vegetarianism, with one in five people in the country identifying as vegetarian. This is largely influenced by cultural, religious, and ethical beliefs. The vegetarian population in India is estimated to be around 375 million, making it the country with the highest number of vegetarians in the world.
Age and Dietary Preferences
When it comes to age, there is a noticeable difference in dietary preferences between younger and older adults. Younger adults are more likely to be non meat-eaters, with a higher percentage of them adopting vegetarian or vegan diets compared to older adults.
Comparison of Under-35s and Over-35s Dietary Preferences
Averaged across the 28 countries included in the 2018 Ipsos survey, 6% of under-35s reported being vegetarian, compared to 3% in the over-35s. This suggests that the younger generation is more inclined towards plant-based diets and is driving the growth of vegetarianism and veganism worldwide.
In conclusion, while the exact numbers may vary depending on the source and methodology of the research, it is clear that the number of people following vegetarian or vegan diets is on the rise globally. With increasing awareness about the health, environmental, and ethical benefits of plant-based diets, it is likely that these numbers will continue to grow in the coming years.
