With veganism’s growing popularity, it is not uncommon for people to turn to a plant-based lifestyle. But just how many people around the world and in the UK are actually vegan? Get to know how many people are vegan in this blog post. We will explore this question further by looking at global and UK statistics on vegans, as well as regional variations within these figures. To gain further insight into the number of vegans around the world and in the UK, we’ll examine age and gender breakdowns to uncover who has joined this rapidly expanding community.
Table of Contents:
- Global Vegan Population
- UK Vegan Statistics
- Regional Variations
- Age and Gender Breakdown
- FAQs in Relation to How Many People Are Vegan
- Conclusion
Global Vegan Population
An exponential growth of vegans is being observed globally, with an estimated 70 million people adopting a plant-based diet. This figure is expected to continue to rise in the coming years as more and more people make the switch from animal products to plant-based alternatives.
Europe has the highest concentration of vegans, trailed by North America and then Asia in terms of geographical spread. The UK alone accounts for about 1% of all vegans globally, making it one of the top countries for veganism worldwide.
There are regional variations when it comes to vegan populations across different parts of Europe too; Germany has seen particularly strong growth over recent years while Italy remains relatively low on the list despite its Mediterranean cuisine being naturally suited towards plant-based eating.
Women are slightly more likely to opt for a meatless lifestyle than men, with 52% of females compared to 48% of males following the vegan or vegetarian diet. However, this gap is gradually narrowing as male consumption levels increase annually. Millennials lead the way in terms of vegetarian/vegan identification, with Gen Xers (33%) and Generation Z (32%) following.
Evidently, veganism has been gaining traction worldwide in recent times and is anticipated to remain on an upward trajectory into the future.
As the number of vegans around the world continues to rise, let’s now explore how UK veganism stacks up against other countries. Let’s now examine the UK vegan figures and how they stack up against other nations.
UK Vegan Statistics
The UK vegan population is on the rise. A 2023 survey revealed that the number of vegans in Britain had risen to a considerable 600,000. This number has grown exponentially since 2006 when only 150,000 people identified as vegan. England has the most vegans of all UK countries, with 517,000 people identifying as such compared to Scotland’s 40K and Wales’ 30K.
Northern Ireland, given its limited area and dearth of vegetarian-friendly cuisine choices, does not make up a major component of the UK vegan demographic. London stands head and shoulders above the rest with 162,500 vegans, while South East England follows close behind at 83,600, and North West England trails slightly with 49,400.
When it comes to age breakdowns for vegans in the UK; those aged between 25-34 make up nearly half (48%) of all self-identifying vegans, while those aged 18-24 come second at 22%. Surprisingly older generations, such as 45+ account for just 8% which indicates that younger generations are more likely to adopt a plant-based diet than their parents or grandparents were.
Women dominate the 18-24 age group among self-identifying vegans, accounting for 65% of the total. In contrast, men take over from 35 years old onwards, with 57% of those aged 35 and above identifying as vegan. This indicates that younger generations are more likely to embrace a plant-based diet than their elders did.
Figures for veganism in Britain reveal a continual rise, likely to persist. Moving on from this, regional variations are also worth exploring when considering how many people follow a vegan lifestyle in different parts of the country.
Regional Variations
Veganism is on the rise globally, with marked differences between regions.
In Europe, Germany has the highest percentage of vegans, with 7% of its population following a plant-based diet. Italy, France and Spain all follow Germany, with 6%, 4% and 3% of their populations, respectively, adopting a vegan lifestyle. The UK also falls within this range at 4%, making it one of the most popular countries for veganism in Europe.
In Asia, India stands out as having an impressive number of vegetarians and vegans – estimated to be over 30%. Chinese culture has historically relied heavily on meat, yet vegetarianism is becoming increasingly popular, with an estimated 8% of the population now following a plant-based diet. Japan also has a higher than average proportion of people who follow a plant-based diet at 5%.
Australia leads the way in terms of Oceania’s vegan population, accounting for almost half – 6% -of all vegans living on the continent. New Zealand follows closely behind with 3%. North America’s largest country – the USA – reports that only 2% of their citizens identify as being vegan or vegetarian; however, cities such as Los Angeles have seen huge growth rates amongst their younger generations, where up to 10% claim to live on a plant-based diet. Canada comes close behind at 4%.
Latin American countries are still catching up when it comes to mainstreaming vegan diets but Brazil shows promise with 1 million people claiming to be either vegetarian or vegan, which equates to about 2 %of their total population. Mexico follows suit with 1%, while Argentina brings up the rear at 0.5%.
Variations in veganism across regions can be linked to the accessibility of plant-based items and personal preferences. Let’s now explore how age and gender differences may be influencing vegan diets in the UK.
Age and Gender Breakdown
Age and gender are two of the most important factors when it comes to understanding veganism. A tendency towards veganism is generally more pronounced among younger generations than older ones around the world.
Women appear to be more apt than men in many nations to ascribe as vegans or vegetarians. This could be due in part to cultural norms that encourage females to pay closer attention to their diets and health habits.
The UK is no exception when it comes to these trends: according to data from 2018, nearly half (47%) of all British vegans were aged 15-34 years old, while only 16% were over 55 years old. Additionally, approximately three-quarters (73%) of vegans in Britain identified as female – with only 27% being male – suggesting that males are less inclined towards adopting a plant-based diet compared with females.
FAQs in Relation to How Many People Are Vegan
How many vegans are there in 2023?
It is estimated that the number of vegans in the UK will reach 3.5 million by 2023, representing 7% of the population. A range of data, such as polls, market research and consumer trend studies, have been used to form the estimate of 3.5 million vegans in Britain by 2023. It appears that the rise in vegan numbers by 2023 could be attributed to a combination of factors, including the greater availability and access to vegan items as well as promotional efforts.
What are the statistics about vegans?
The vegan population in the UK has seen a dramatic surge, with an estimated 350% rise since 2006. A survey conducted by The Vegan Society indicates that the number of vegans in Britain has experienced a considerable surge since 2006, with over 600k individuals now embracing this lifestyle – an increase of 350%. This equates to around 1.16% of Britain’s population being vegan and marks an impressive growth rate for this community. In addition, research from Kantar Worldpanel suggests that approximately 22 million British citizens have reduced their consumption of animal products or stopped eating them altogether within the last year alone. This data indicates that veganism is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, with more and more people opting for a plant-based lifestyle.
What percentage of the US is vegan?
According to a survey conducted by the Plant Based Foods Association, approximately 3.7% of Americans identify as vegan. The vegan population has seen a steady increase due to heightened awareness of animal welfare and health benefits associated with plant-based diets. Moreover, numerous individuals are embracing vegetarian or flexitarian lifestyles that entail cutting down on animal-based edibles while still partaking of certain victuals obtained from animals such as eggs and dairy items.
Conclusion
So, how many people are vegan? A growing number of people are adopting veganism as a lifestyle, with regional variations across Britain and differences in age and gender. The UK has seen a notable increase in the number of vegans, with different areas having their own unique levels. We can also see a breakdown by age and gender to understand how these factors influence who chooses to go vegan. It’s an exciting time for vegans as more resources become available each day – let’s keep pushing forward.
