Share of vegans worldwide in 2023, by select country

In 2023, around three percent of responding German consumers between 18 and 64 years of age followed a vegan diet. In Brazil, China, Mexico, and the U.S., between two and four percent of respondents ate vegan diets. The noteworthy standout is India, where over a tenth of respondents said they typically follow a vegan diet. The survey was carried out in four quarterly waves among online users. 

Veganism in the European Union

The share of adults following a vegan diet in the European Union (EU) varies considerably among the different generations. According to a recent survey, Gen Z had the highest share of vegans in the EU, with approximately four percent. In comparison, among Generation X and the Baby Boomers, the share of vegans was only one percent. In general, the share of vegans in the EU tends to be higher among younger generations. The number of vegans in the EU is forecast to grow from about 6.6 million in 2023 to almost 8.3 million by 2033. Moreover, the market size for plant-based meals in Europe has increased by 80 percent within the last three years. Plant-based products are not exclusively consumed by vegans or vegetarians. Instead, this trend reflects a growing demand for meat alternatives among larger parts of the European population, while simultaneously offering those who exclusively follow a non-meat-eating diet increasing consumption options.

Veganism in Germany

Germany has a particularly high share of young adults who are vegan or vegetarian, as compared to other European countries. Approximately six and eleven percent of young adults in Germany classify themselves as vegan or vegetarian, respectively. Moreover, being vegan in Germany has become considerably easier over the years. The number of vegan restaurants in Germany has almost quadrupled throughout the last decade, adjusting to the growing demand for alternatives to animal products. While there were only 113 purely vegan restaurants in 2014, a total of 393 vegan restaurants were counted in 2024. The growing demand for animal alternatives can also be observed in the production volume of vegetarian and vegan meat substitutes in Germany. The volume of vegetarian and vegan meat substitutes produced has grown from approximately 60,000 tons in 2019 to about 104,000 tons in 2022, which constitutes an increase of approximately 58 percent.