Nils-Gerrit Wunsch
Research expert covering foods trends in North America, Europe, and the global food system
Veganism and vegetarianism in the United Kingdom - statistics & facts
There is a growing interest in reducing meat consumption among consumers in the United Kingdom. This trend has turned meat eaters into flexitarians, vegetarians, or even vegans. These dietary choices are so popular that only 59 percent of consumers in the UK describe their diet as "not following any nutrition rules," while many other consumers have reduced their meat consumption in one form or another. Approximately three percent identified themselves as vegan. Those following a vegan diet do not consume any animal-derived food products or ingredients. The idea of eating no meat is much more widespread among younger consumers than among older generations. Meat-free food consumption will thus become even more important in the British market in years to come. The UK market for meat substitutes is already worth close to three quarters of a billion euros, making it the second largest in Europe.
Veganism in the UK
Rates of veganism among different demographic groups follow a few distinct patterns. For older consumers, meat is a much more integral part of their diet. For those over the age of 50, veganism is comparatively rare. Secondly, gender differences are barely visible, and female consumers are just as likely to be vegans as their male counterparts. London is the vegan capital of the United Kingdom; it has a higher share of the population following a vegan diet than any other region of the country.Vegetarianism in the UK
In contrast to vegans, vegetarians do eat animal products, except for meat and fish. Pescetarians also add fish to their diet. These three meatless diets are followed by a combined total of 15 percent of consumers in the UK. Vegetarians account for seven percent of the UK's population, while pescatarians account for four. Among vegetarians, there is a clear-cut trend visible. As with vegans, younger consumers are more likely to follow a vegetarian diet. Among UK adults between 20 and 29 years of age, the share of vegetarians is about two percent higher that of the general population.
