The Vegan Society has promoted veganism in the U.K. and internationally for over 80 years. During this period, veganism has expanded significantly, though public awareness, understanding, and adoption continue to vary widely across countries. This report presents quantitative data on veganism worldwide, alongside qualitative insights for 21 selected countries. These countries were identified based on The Vegan Society’s work in business engagement, campaigning, and research, which suggests they may benefit from increased strategic focus.

The research followed a three-stage methodology. First, the authors created a global database of veganism-related variables. They used existing sources to gather country-specific data on:

• Rates of veg*nism
• Vegan and animal advocacy organizations
• Plant-based food and alternative protein companies
• Veg*n restaurants and dining options
• Public activism
• Government policies affecting animals
• Animal product consumption, production, and trade
• Agricultural employment and contribution to the economy

Measures also included online search trends related to veg*nism and linguistic translations of the term “vegan.”

Next, individual profiles for each of the 21 focus countries were generated using AI deep research tools. These reports were reviewed by local experts, who provided contextual feedback, before being synthesized into accessible infographics.

Finally, an online survey gathered responses from approximately 2,000 participants across 10 countries, with around 200 respondents per country, selected to reflect geographic diversity. These 10 countries were a subset of the 21 focus countries and included Australia, Canada, Denmark, India, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States. The survey collected data on dietary preferences, animal product consumption, understanding of the term “vegan,” and attitudes toward veg*ns and veg*nism.

How Common Is Veg*nism?

Globally, rates of veganism are highest in India (9%) and Mexico (9%) and lowest in China, Russia, and Thailand (close to 0% each). India and Mexico also have the highest rates of vegetarianism (30% and 19%, respectively), while Spain, Portugal, and Russia have the lowest (1% each). The authors advise using these figures with caution, however, due to small sample sizes and differences in how the data were collected. The survey results for Mexico, for instance, suggest much lower rates — just 1% of the sample were vegan and none were vegetarian. What remains clear is that meat-eaters made up the majority of the population in each surveyed country, with the exception of India.

Do People Understand Veganism?

Across all surveyed countries, veganism was most commonly understood as avoiding the use of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose, with between 41% (in Japan) and 64% (in Australia) of participants selecting this description. This consistency suggests a widespread recognition that veganism extends beyond dietary choice alone.

Is There A Word For “Vegan” In Other Languages?

Given the importance of shared language for everyday use and advocacy, the report analyzed how the term “vegan” is expressed across languages. Some languages adopt the English term or spell it out in their own characters, while others use related terms, such as the French végétalien. In some contexts, terms are tied to Buddhist dietary practices and imply restrictions beyond Western conceptions of veganism. These linguistic differences matter, as misunderstandings can affect both consumer behavior and advocacy messaging.

How Do People Feel About Veg*nism?

Overall sentiment toward veg*nism was slightly positive across the 10 surveyed countries. Vegetarianism and vegetarians were viewed marginally more favorably than veganism and vegans. India had the most positive perceptions, while Japan had the least, trending slightly negative. The authors note that this broadly aligns with dietary norms and cultural context in these countries.

Based on Google Trends, global searches for “veganism” began to outpace those for “vegetarianism” in 2012. Among the 21 focus countries, most saw a peak in searches for “veganism” in 2020 before steadily declining again to roughly 2016 levels. Not all countries fit this pattern, however: interest in veganism appears to be growing in places like South Korea.

Which Countries Have The Most Vegan Businesses?

The report recorded the number of animal product alternative companies in each country, including plant-based foods and cultivated and blended meat products. On a per capita basis, Singapore, Israel, and the Netherlands lead the way, with 7.44, 6.66, and 5.03 plant-based companies per one million people, respectively, suggesting early adoption of these alternatives. Meanwhile, the U.S. has the highest number of animal product alternative companies overall but ranks much lower per capita (18th).

Interestingly, a greater number of animal product alternative companies often coincides with greater consumption of these products, though this doesn’t necessarily correspond to reduced animal product consumption. Israel, for instance, has the second most animal product alternative companies per capita, but still consumes the most poultry per capita in the world. Furthermore, several countries — such as Iceland, Portugal, and the U.S. — combine high animal product consumption with a substantial presence of vegan dining, underscoring the complexity of food systems and consumer behavior.

How Much Do Countries Rely On Animal Products?

Understanding the scale of animal-based industries is essential for designing effective, policy-oriented advocacy. China dominates global production across multiple animal products, including poultry, pork, fish, seafood, and eggs. In some cases, production is highly concentrated: China produces more pork than the next 19 countries combined, and more fish and seafood than the following nine. India produces over twice as much dairy as the U.S., the next highest producer, and due to its massive dairy sector, is also the fourth-largest beef producer and exporter — though primarily water buffalo rather than cows.

Notably, worldwide dairy consumption far exceeds other animal products. Overall, there tends to be higher consumption of animal products in richer countries. Exceptions include Saudi Arabia and South Korea, two high-income nations that are among the 20 lowest-consuming countries. However, this varies by animal product. Saudi Arabia is the 14th highest poultry consumer in the world, while South Korea is the second highest consumer of fish and seafood and 11th highest consumer of pork.

Trade data suggest that major importers of animal products may be more receptive to reduction initiatives, given their exposure to price volatility, supply chain disruptions, and external shocks. In contrast, major exporters often resist such efforts due to economic dependence on animal agriculture. There are some important nuances to consider, however. For example, the Netherlands is a top poultry exporter without being a top producer. This is largely because it re-exports poultry products to other countries.

The Global Picture

In conclusion, global sentiment toward vegans and veganism is generally neutral to positive, with India standing out for particularly favorable views. Positive attitudes don’t always translate into vegan-friendly food environments, but opportunities exist across diverse contexts. For advocates, effective strategies require attention to economic context, land constraints, supply chains, and cultural nuance. For businesses, success depends on targeting receptive markets, aligning products with local tastes, and balancing expansion with saturation, including through export-oriented models. Overall, veganism’s global landscape is uneven and complex, requiring context-sensitive approaches grounded in data rather than hype.