According to the Stats of 2022, India Leads the World with the Highest Percentage of Vegetarians at 42% (Rferl) Rferl found that India has the population with the most vegetarians out of all countries at 31-42%, with Mexico coming in second place with 19% and Brazil in third place with 14%.
While there are no entirely vegetarian countries that exist, not every country eats primarily meat. Although eating meat is part of the national identity in many countries, there are destinations that may otherwise be defined as a vegetarians paradise.
India leads the countries with the highest rates of vegetarians, with nearly 24% of the population following a vegetarian diet, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
As per our findings, there's no country where 100% of the population is non-vegetarian. However, some countries have a higher consumption of meat because of cultural or religious factors, i.e., China, Brazil, and the USA, among others.
India. Three of India's major religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism — teach the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence towards all beings. Because of this religious tradition, India has the highest percentage of vegetarians out of all the countries in the world.
05/6Ethiopia. Did you know that most of the traditional yet popular Ethiopian dishes are vegetarian or vegan? Well, that's because the country strictly adheres to the traditions of the Orthodox Church, which calls for meat-free Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as long periods of vegetarian fasting.
Based on early data from the National Nutrition Survey and other studies we estimate that about 2% of Australians are vegan. This is approximately 500,000 people.
Israel: This country's capital city, Tel Aviv, is titled the “vegan capital of the world”. Apart from Tel Aviv, you'll find vegan alternatives and markets in lots of different small towns of Israel serving superb vegan fare. You can pick out from 700+ vegan eating places in Israel, currently.
Japanese cuisine is known for its heavy use of meat and fish, and even stocks and sauces usually have some ingredients containing meat. Vegetarianism and veganism are not as popular in Japan as it is in the West, so you'll find there's often some confusion as to what you can and can't eat.
Australia is home to as many as 2.5 million vegans and vegetarians. 6% of the population is vegan.
Certain Islamic orders are mainly vegetarian; many Sufis maintain a vegetarian diet. Some Muslims in Indonesia think that being a vegetarian for reasons other than health is un-Islamic and it is a form of emulation of the infidels (tashabbuh bil kuffar).
All of India's most widely practiced religions have dietary laws and traditions. For example, Hindu texts often praise vegetarianism, and Hindus may also avoid eating beef because cows are traditionally viewed as sacred. Muslim teachings, meanwhile, prohibit pork.
The world's largest consumers of meat per capita? Hong Kong, Iceland, and Macao have the highest total meat consumption, all above 170 kg (370 lbs) per capita.
According to the Stats of 2022, India Leads the World with the Highest Percentage of Vegetarians at 42% (Rferl) Rferl found that India has the population with the most vegetarians out of all countries at 31-42%, with Mexico coming in second place with 19% and Brazil in third place with 14%.
In Sydney, there are heaps of vegan restaurants at every budget that cater to whatever you're craving — vegan pizza, burgers, pies, gelato and a variety of cuisines including Japanese, Italian, Palestinian, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Mediterranean and Mexican.
China's vegan and plant-based protein industry is growing fast, and this lifestyle is becoming increasingly popular around the country. Veganism statistics China shows the trend being adopted at a rapid rate: 5% of China's population are vegans.
Plant-based eating is deeply rooted in three of the prominent religions practiced in India – Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. All these religions believe in the concept of Ahimsa, which means kindness and non-violence towards all living things.
General: Animal welfare ranks first among the main reasons why Australians choose to follow a vegan or vegetarian diet (at 35%). Health comes in second (27%) and the environment in third (21%). Religious, financial and other reasons combine to 16 per cent.
Traditionally, the Chinese do not eat beef because the cow is considered a sacred animal and a holy incarnation of the Goddess of Mercy. Much like the Hindus, they believe that the cow is a gift from the gods, providing life nourishing milk, clothing from its hide and a partner to help toil and till the land.
Cattle. Cattle hold a traditional place as objects of reverence in countries such as India. Some Hindus, particularly Brahmins, are vegetarian and strictly abstain from eating meat. All of those who do eat meat abstain from the consumption of beef, as the cow holds a sacred place in Hinduism.
In 2021, the United States was the largest exporter of beef worldwide with exports amounting to a value of 9.3 billion U.S. dollars, followed by Brazil, with eight billion dollars.