Around 2% to 6% of Australians are strict vegans or vegetarians, but a larger portion, potentially over 10-20%, are reducing meat intake, with figures showing about 11% don't eat meat at all for various reasons, and a significant number identifying as flexitarians or meat reducers, driven by health, environment, and animal welfare concerns.
Rates of vegetarianism continues to decline, with only 4% of Australians identifying as vegetarian and just 2% adhering strictly to a meat-free diet. The proportion of vegetarians is the lowest it has been in the past 10 years. Interestingly, one in five meat eaters have previously tried vegetarianism.
So, what percentage of the population is vegetarian, you may ask? According to a recent study, 22% of the global population is vegetarian. Another report says that almost 10% of Americans above 18 consider themselves vegan or vegetarian, and the number is increasing daily.
The countries that consume the least amount of meat annually on a per-capita basis are, as measured in pounds-per-person:
India. According to the World Atlas, India has the highest rate of vegetarians in the world, with 38% of its population identifying as vegetarians. India also has one of the lowest meat consumption rates in the world. 18% are selective meat eaters, 9% are vegan, and 8% are pescatarian.
Simoons, many members of low castes and tribal groups in India reject "cow slaughter and beef eating, some of them quite strongly", while others support beef eating and cattle slaughter.
Miley Cyrus stopped being strictly vegan because she experienced health issues, feeling malnourished and that her brain wasn't functioning properly after six years on the diet, leading her to reintroduce fish and omegas for better brain function, though she still values animal welfare. She noted feeling "much sharper" and healthier after adding animal products like fish back into her diet, which was a difficult transition emotionally, but a necessary one for her body.
PETA has videos showing that animals are beaten, dragged, and thrown against walls in slaughterhouses across the country. After going vegetarian, Einstein said, “So I am living without fats, without meat, without fish, but am feeling quite well this way.
"I've found a counterculture way of living, of embracing red meat and organs — natural food just like our millennia of ancestors would have eaten for hundreds of thousands of years," he said. "I've tried to listen to my body more, tried to listen to nature, and I don't miss vegetables at all.
Australia's First Nations people had traditionally consumed a plant-based diet of approximately 30 to 90 per cent of their total food intake, depending on where they lived. As a cultural or religious choice, vegetarianism was first introduced to Australia by the Swedenborgians who arrived here in the 1830s.
The 80/20 Rule for Vegans
This flexible approach suggests aiming to eat vegan 80% of the time while allowing yourself some flexibility the remaining 20%. This can be particularly helpful when you're just starting out or in social situations where vegan options might be limited.
Which country eats the most meat? As of 2023, the country that eats the most meat per capita is the United States. Americans consume an average of around 120 kilograms of meat per person per year.
If cattle or fishing is your calling, you'll find a friend in Rockhampton, known as the beef and barra capital of Australia. It's easy to embrace a taste of country life with a serving of the region's famed steak, or through its rich and perfectly-preserved heritage and history.
The most popular food in Australia is widely considered the meat pie, an iconic hand-held pastry filled with minced meat and gravy, followed closely by other staples like roast lamb (a Sunday dinner favorite), chicken parmigiana (a pub classic), and Vegemite on toast. Other beloved items include smashed avocado on toast, fish and chips, and sweet treats like Pavlova and Anzac biscuits.
“I tried being a vegetarian but I don't really think we're designed to be vegetarians,” he told The Guardian. “Some of my best friends are vegetarians, even vegans, which is tricky when you're trying to go out for dinner.”
In fact, in this study, vegetarians live six to nine years longer, which is a huge effect. But vegetarians are also more likely to exercise, be married, smoke less and drink less alcohol—all factors that also contribute to a longer life.
Amitabh Bachchan, the legendary actor, has been a dedicated vegetarian for years. Known for his discipline and wellness routines, he often credits his diet for his enduring energy and good health.
American actor. Over the years, Johnny Depp went through several periods when he ate vegan for various reasons – for his health, in preparation for acting roles or perhaps at the request of his (now ex-) girlfriend.
Miley Cyrus has publicly shared she lives with Reinke's edema, a vocal cord disorder causing swelling, hoarseness, and a deeper, raspy voice, which she embraces as part of her unique sound but makes touring difficult. While she's mentioned this and past health struggles like ovarian cysts, rumors of severe diagnoses (like cancer) circulating online (e.g., in posts from late 2025) are unverified and likely false, as recent reports focus on her vocal condition.
I was healthier than I've ever been, and I loved being vegan.” Ellen goes on to share that she still eats primarily plant-based, only occasionally consuming fish and eggs. Even as a non-vegan, Ellen continues to advocate for the public to reduce their consumption of animal products.
Beef is considered Halal and is widely consumed by Muslims around the world. The Quran does not prohibit the consumption of beef; instead, it provides guidelines on how animals, including cattle, should be treated and slaughtered. The key aspect of making beef Halal is the slaughter method, known as Zabiha or Dhabiha.
The dietary prohibition was related to the divinity of the animal. Legend had it that that the ox (and/or buffalo) was a Buddhist deity who descended from Heaven for the express purpose of pulling the plow. The animal was a god who sacrificed itself for its owner's sake.
Since the European Union banned imports of beef treated with growth-promoting hormones in 1989, the United States has been unable to fill the 11,500 metric ton quota allowed for high-quality, non-hormone treated beef.