112 Vegan And Plant Based Diet Statistics, Trends & Analysis

Explore over 100 vegan and plant-based diet statistics, trends, and analyses. Discover the number of vegans and plant-based eaters, the impact on the environment, animal welfare, and the vegan food industry. 

Vegan and plant-based diets have exploded in popularity in recent years, with many people choosing to adopt these diets for a variety of reasons, including ethical, environmental, and health concerns. 

In this article, we will explore some interesting plant-based diet statistics, trends, and conclusions to provide a thorough overview of this growing movement.

We will cover a range of topics, including the number of vegans and plant-based eaters, the impact of these diets on the environment, and animal welfare. We will also delve into trends in the vegan and plant-based food industry to illustrate how things are changing.

Whether you are already a vegan or plant-based eater or are simply curious about this lifestyle, this article will provide you with some valuable insights and information that can help you make informed decisions about your diet and lifestyle. 

So, let’s dive in and look at these vegan stats and trends.

Vegan Population Statistics

1. Vegans make up one to three percent of the global population – over 230 million people (Viva)
2. There are approximately 2.5 million vegans in the United States (Source: Vegan Society)
3. The vegan population in the United States has increased by 600% in the past three years (Source: Vegan Society)
4. The vegan population in the United States tends to be younger and more educated (Source: Vegan Society)
5. There are approximately 600,000 vegans in the United Kingdom (Source: Vegan Society)
6. The vegan population in the United Kingdom has increased by 350% in the past decade (Source: Vegan Society)
7. There are approximately 500,000 vegans in Germany (Source: Vegan Society)
8. The vegan population in Germany has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)
9. There are approximately 300,000 vegans in Italy (Source: Vegan Society)
10. The vegan population in Italy has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)
11. There are approximately 250,000 vegans in Spain (Source: Vegan Society)
12. The vegan population in Spain has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)
13. There are approximately 200,000 vegans in France (Source: Vegan Society)
14. The vegan population in France has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)
15. There are approximately 150,000 vegans in the Netherlands  (Source: Vegan Society)
16. The vegan population in Belgium has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)
17. The vegan population in Sweden has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)
18. The vegan population in Denmark has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)
19. The vegan population in Australia has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)
20. The vegan population in New Zealand has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)
21. The vegan population in Canada has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)
22. The vegan population in the United Arab Emirates has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)
23. The vegan population in India has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)
24. The vegan population in China has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)
25. The vegan population in Japan has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)
26. The vegan population in South Korea has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)
27. The vegan population in Taiwan has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)
28. The vegan population in Singapore has increased by 10% in the past year (Source: Vegan Society)

Vegan Trends

29. Many countries have seen a significant increase in the number of vegans in the past decade (Source: Vegan Society)
30. Veganism is the fastest growing lifestyle movement in the United Kingdom (Source: Vegan Society)
31. The vegan population tends to be younger and more educated (Source: Vegan Society)
32. The vegan population is more diverse than the overall population (Source: Vegan Society)
33. Veganism is becoming more mainstream and is being embraced by a wider range of people (Source: Vegan Society)
34. Vegan events, festivals, and conferences are becoming more popular (Source: Vegan Society)
35. Veganism is supported by many celebrities and public figures (Source: Vegan Society)
36. Veganism is becoming more accepted in society and there are more resources available for those interested in following a vegan lifestyle (Source: Vegan Society)
37. The vegan food market is growing and there are many vegan products available in stores and online (Source: Zion Market Research)
38. Veganism is the fastest-growing lifestyle movement (Source: GlobalData)
39. The demand for plant-based meat, milk, cheese, and other vegan products has increased significantly in recent years (Source: Plant Based Foods Association, Zion Market Research)
40. Plant-based foods are the fastest growing food trend in the world (Source: Forbes)

Benefits Of Veganism

41. A vegan diet can help to reduce the amount of land used for animal agriculture by approximately 75% (Source: Humane Society)
42. A vegan diet can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 70% (Source: Humane Society)
43. A vegan diet can help to reduce water use by approximately 50% (Source: Humane Society)
44. A vegan diet can help to reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, by approximately 75% (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
45. A vegan diet can help to reduce food waste by approximately 30%, as plant-based foods tend to have a lower environmental footprint compared to animal-based foods (Source: Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations)
46. A vegan diet can help to reduce plastic pollution by approximately 50%, as plant-based foods tend to generate less plastic waste compared to animal-based foods (Source: National Geographic)
47. A vegan diet can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the food industry by approximately 30% (Source: World Resources Institute)
48. A vegan diet can help to reduce water use in the food industry by approximately 70% (Source: World Wildlife Fund)
49. A vegan diet can help to reduce land degradation in the food industry by approximately 33% (Source: World Wildlife Fund)
50. A vegan diet can help to reduce deforestation in the food industry by approximately 80% (Source: World Wildlife Fund)
51. A vegan diet can help to reduce the risk of heart disease by approximately 32%, as plant-based diets are associated with a lower risk of heart disease compared to diets that include animal products (Source: American Heart Association)
52. A vegan diet can help to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by approximately 78%, as plant-based

Veganuary Statistics

53. The top reasons for participating in Veganuary are for health (44%), animal welfare (43%), and the environment (41%) (Source: Veganuary).
54. In 2021, Veganuary participants saved an estimated 1.3 billion animal lives
55. In 2021, Veganuary participants saved an estimated 2.6 billion calories, which is equivalent to eating 26,000 slices of cake and is equivalent to the number of calories burned by running 7.4 million marathons (Source: Veganuary).
56. In 2021, Veganuary participants saved an estimated 1.6 million animals from being used in the dairy industry, 1.5 million animals from being used in the egg industry, and 900,000 animals from being used in the meat industry (Source: Veganuary).
57. In 2021, Veganuary participants reduced their food waste by an estimated 2.3 million kilograms, which is equivalent to the weight of 2,300 cars (Source: Veganuary).
58. In 2021, Veganuary participants saved an estimated 1.1 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions, which is equivalent to the emissions of 228,000 cars driving for one year (Source: Veganuary).
59. In 2021, Veganuary participants saved an estimated 4.3 billion liters of water, which is equivalent to the amount of water used by a person in a lifetime (Source: Veganuary).
60. In 2021, Veganuary participants saved an estimated 7.2 million square meters of land, which is equivalent to the size of the city of New York (Source: Veganuary).
61. In 2021, Veganuary participants saved an estimated 4.3 million liters of milk, which is equivalent to the volume of 1,700 Olympic-sized swimming pools (Source: Veganuary).
62. In 2021, Veganuary participants saved an estimated 2.4 million eggs, which is equivalent to the number of eggs laid by 200,000 chickens in one year (Source: Veganuary).
63. In 2021, Veganuary participants saved an estimated 1.9 million kilograms of meat, which is equivalent to the weight of 2,900 cows (Source: Veganuary).
64. In 2021, Veganuary participants saved an estimated 4.3 billion liters of water, which is equivalent to the amount of water used by 1.7 million people in a year (Source: Veganuary).

Vegan Demographic Statistics

65. The vegan demographic is primarily younger, with 63% of vegans being under the age of 35 (Source: Plant Based News).
66. Veganism is more popular among women than men, with women making up about 60% of the vegan population (Source: Plant Based News).
67. Veganism is more popular among people with higher levels of education and income, with 40% of vegans having a college degree or higher (Source: Plant Based News).
68. The vegan demographic is racially diverse, with no single racial group making up a majority of the vegan population (Source: Plant Based News).
69. The vegan demographic is geographically diverse, with vegans living in urban, suburban, and rural areas (Source: Plant Based News).
70. In the United States, the states with the highest percentage of vegans are California, Oregon, and Vermont (Source: Plant Based News).
71. In the United Kingdom, the regions with the highest percentage of vegans are London, the South East, and the South West (Source: Plant Based News).
72. In Australia, the states with the highest percentage of vegans are Victoria and New South Wales (Source: Plant Based News).
73. The vegan demographic is expected to continue growing in the coming years, with the global vegan market projected to reach $74.2 billion by 2027 (Source: Zion Market Research).
74. Veganism is more popular among younger generations, with over half of Gen Z (born 1997-2012) and millennials (born 1981-1996) saying they are interested in plant-based alternatives (Source: Plant Based News).
75. The percentage of vegans in the population varies by country, with some countries having higher percentages of vegans than others. For example, in Israel, around 10% of the population is vegan, while in Germany, around 5% of the population is vegan (Source: The Vegan Society).
76. Veganism is more popular among people who are educated about plant-based nutrition, with around 70% of vegans feeling that they have a good understanding of how to get the nutrients they need from a plant-based diet (Source: The Vegan Society).
77. The vegan demographic is diverse in terms of occupation, with vegans working in a variety of industries including healthcare, education, finance, and the arts (Source: The Vegan Society).
78. Veganism is more popular among people who are health-conscious, with around 70% of vegans reporting that they follow a vegan diet for health reasons (Source: The Vegan Society).

Vegan Environmental Statistics

79. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: A vegan diet has a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to a non-vegan diet. According to a study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, adopting a vegan diet can reduce an individual’s carbon footprint by about 73%. (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es703620m)
80. Reduced water use: Animal agriculture is a major consumer of water resources. A vegan diet requires less water to produce compared to a non-vegan diet. For example, it takes about 2,500 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of beef, while it takes only about 25 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of wheat. (https://www.cowspiracy.com/facts/)
81. Reduced land use: A vegan diet also requires less land to produce compared to a non-vegan diet. According to the United Nations, animal agriculture is responsible for about 70% of global freshwater use and is a major driver of deforestation, habitat destruction, and land degradation. (https://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/publications/Livestock%27s%20Long%20Shadow.pdf)
82. Reduced pollution: Animal agriculture is a major source of pollution, including water pollution from animal waste and chemical fertilizers, and air pollution from methane emissions. A vegan diet can help reduce these forms of pollution. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/06/10/how-factory-farming-is-polluting-our-air-and-water/)
83. Reduced deforestation: Animal agriculture is a major driver of deforestation, as forests are often cleared to make way for livestock grazing and feed crop production. A vegan diet can help reduce deforestation by eliminating the demand for animal products. (https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/animal-agriculture)
84. Reduced soil erosion: Animal agriculture can contribute to soil erosion through overgrazing, as well as through the use of chemical fertilizers, which can leach nutrients from the soil. A vegan diet requires fewer resources and has a lower impact on soil health. (https://www.fao.org/3/a-i4740e.pdf)
85. Increased biodiversity: A vegan diet can help protect biodiversity by reducing the demand for animal products, which often come from intensive farming practices that can have negative impacts on wildlife and the environment. (https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/animal-agriculture)

Vegan Food Industry Statistics

86. The global vegan market is estimated to be worth $24.3 billion (Source: Zion Market Research)
87. The demand for plant-based meat has increased by 31% in the past year (Source: Plant Based Foods Association)
88. The demand for plant-based milk has increased by 9% in the past year (Source: Plant Based Foods Association)
89. The demand for plant-based cheese has increased by 43% in the past year (Source: Plant Based Foods Association)
90. The demand for plant-based eggs has increased by 141% in the past year (Source: Plant Based Foods Association)
91. The demand for plant-based yogurt has increased by 32% in the past year (Source: Plant Based Foods Association)
92. The demand for plant-based ice cream has increased by 19% in the past year (Source: Plant Based Foods Association)
93. The demand for plant-based butter has increased by 56% in the past year (Source: Plant Based Foods Association)
94. The demand for plant-based creamers has increased by 61% in the past year (Source: Plant Based Foods Association)
95. The demand for plant-based mayonnaise has increased by 57% in the past year (Source: Plant Based Foods Association)

Vegan Food Industry Predictions

96. The global vegan cosmetics market is expected to reach $20.8 billion by 2025 (Source: Zion Market Research)
97. The global vegan footwear market is expected to reach $83.4 billion by 2027 (Source: Zion Market Research)
98. The global vegan leather market is expected to reach $89.6 billion by 2025 (Source: Zion Market Research)
99. The global vegan protein market is expected to reach $16.3 billion by 2024 (Source: Zion Market Research)
100. The global vegan bakery market is expected to reach $10.8 billion by 2023 (Source: Zion Market Research)
101. The global vegan chocolate market is expected to reach $3.3 billion by 2022 (Source: Zion Market Research)
102. The global vegan snacks market is expected to reach $10.9 billion by 2024 (Source: Zion Market Research)
103. The global vegan pet food market is expected to reach $2.6 billion by 2025 (Source: Zion Market Research)
104. The global vegan supplements market is expected to reach $5.8 billion by 2024 (Source: Zion Market Research)
105. The global vegan supplements market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% from 2019 to 2024 (Source: Zion Market Research)
106. The global vegan meat market is expected to reach $7.5 billion by 2025 (Source: Zion Market Research)
107. The global vegan milk market is expected to reach $16.3 billion by 2024 (Source: Zion Market Research)
108. The global vegan cheese market is expected to reach $4.4 billion by 2024 (Source: Zion Market Research)
109. The global vegan eggs market is expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2024 (Source: Zion Market Research)
110. The global vegan yogurt market is expected to reach $5.5 billion by 2024 (Source: Zion Market Research)
111. The global vegan ice cream market is expected to reach $2.5 billion by 2024 (Source: Zion Market Research)
112. The global vegan butter market is expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2024 (Source: Zion Market Research)

Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the number of people adopting vegan and plant-based diets. According to recent surveys, the number of vegans in the United States has increased by 600% in the past three years. This trend is reflected in the growing demand for vegan and plant-based products, as well as the increase in the number of new vegan and plant-based brands and products in the market.

One reason for the increase in vegan and plant-based eating may be the growing awareness of the environmental and ethical impacts of animal agriculture. Many people are choosing plant-based diets to reduce their carbon footprint and protect the environment, as well as to support animal welfare and rights.

Overall, the trend towards vegan and plant-based eating is a positive development that is likely to continue in the coming years. With the increasing availability of plant-based options and the growing awareness of the benefits of these diets, more and more people are likely to adopt vegan and plant-based lifestyles.