10 countries with the highest number of vegetarians (2024)

FAQs

10 countries with the highest number of vegetarians? ›

India is ranked top in the world with 38% of the total population being vegetarians. Vegetarianism in the region became popular after the introduction of Buddhism and Jainism which was around 6th Century BC.

India is ranked top in the world with 38% of the total population being vegetarians. Vegetarianism in the region became popular after the introduction of Buddhism and Jainism which was around 6th Century BC.

Which Country is 100% Non Vegetarian? As per our findings, there's no country where 100% of the population is non-vegetarian. However, some countries have a higher consumption of meat because of cultural or religious factors, i.e., China, Brazil, and the USA, among others.

On that note, the distribution of people, who do not consume meat, across the globe varies, where India has the highest number of vegetarians, due to religious and cultural factors. Approximately 39.5% of India's population is vegetarian.

India. Three of India's major religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism — teach the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence towards all beings. Because of this religious tradition, India has the highest percentage of vegetarians out of all the countries in the world.

Plant-based eating is deeply rooted in three of the prominent religions practiced in India – Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. All these religions believe in the concept of Ahimsa, which means kindness and non-violence towards all living things.

Following a vegetarian diet may reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. But some vegetarian diets may rely too heavily on processed foods with too many calories, and too much sugar, fat and salt. These diets may not include enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nutrient-rich foods.

Meat Consumption

Which countries eat the most meat? According to UN Food and Agriculture Organization data reported by website Our World in data, the United States and Australia are the top of the global meat-eating league with more than 120 kg consumed per capita in 2020.

In the United States, roughly five percent of the population is vegetarian. This is about the same level as in other Western countries such as Germany. This does not include the number of pescetarians, who add fish to an otherwise vegetarian diet. About four percent of the U.S. population follows a vegan diet.

The halakha encourages the eating of meat at the Sabbath and Festival meals; thus some Orthodox Jews who are otherwise vegetarian will nevertheless consume meat at these meals. Some Jews see more moderate views to vegetarianism as the ideal.

Why are Mexicans vegetarian? ›

But meatless dishes actually have a long history in Mexican cuisine. The diet of the Aztecs and other Indians was heavy on grains, fruits and vegetables, and it wasn't until the Spaniards colonized Mexico that the carnivorous culture of pork and beef really became the backbone of what we now consider Mexican food.

Vegans tend to be younger than the general population, with the majority falling between 18 and 34. Younger generations are more attuned to animal welfare, climate change, and health issues and are more likely to adopt a plant-based diet.

Germany. The plat-based lifestyle has become extremely common in Germany, making it one of the top countries in the world when it comes to vegetarianism. Cities like Berlin are known for the diverse food options that they offer, with almost all restaurants catering to vegetarianism and veganism.

A team of researchers at Loma Linda University in the United States has shown vegetarian men live for an average of 10 years longer than non-vegetarian men — 83 years compared to 73 years. For women, being vegetarian added an extra 6 years to their lives, helping them reach 85 years on average.

No other country or part of the world has anywhere close to the number of vegetarian people as India, either in percentage of the population or in total number. India is the unique outlier. Going by percentage of the population, Mexico is the second most vegetarian country, at 19%, then Brazil and Taiwan at 14%.

Meat Consumption

Which countries eat the most meat? According to UN Food and Agriculture Organization data reported by website Our World in data, the United States and Australia are the top of the global meat-eating league with more than 120 kg consumed per capita in 2020.