10 countries with the highest number of vegetarians (2024)

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10 countries with the highest number of vegetarians? ›

India is ranked top in the world with 38% of the total population being vegetarian. Vegetarianism in the region became popular after the introduction of Buddhism and Jainism, which was around the 6th Century BC.

India is ranked top in the world with 38% of the total population being vegetarian. Vegetarianism in the region became popular after the introduction of Buddhism and Jainism, which was around the 6th Century BC.

Which Country is 100% Non Vegetarian? 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.

In Mongolia, food is all about meat and dairy. So for vegetarians, it's a bit tricky, especially outside the cities where meat dishes are all the hype. Even in places like Ulaanbaatar, where vegetarianism is catching on, veggie options can still be hard to come by and not as varied as other non vegetarian options.

In the United States, roughly five percent of the population is vegetarian. This is about the same level as in other Western countries such as Germany. This does not include the number of pescetarians, who add fish to an otherwise vegetarian diet. About four percent of the U.S. population follows a vegan diet.

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.

Meat Consumption

Which countries eat the most meat? According to UN Food and Agriculture Organization data reported by website Our World in data, the United States and Australia are the top of the global meat-eating league with more than 120 kg consumed per capita in 2020.

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.

Although there are benefits to consuming vegetarian products, the proportion of the vegetarian population in China is still small; among 1.3 billion people at present, only 3.8% of the population consider themselves vegetarian (6).

Which country has tastiest vegetarian food? ›

Peru. The beautiful South American nation of Peru boasts a plethora of veggie-friendly favourites, making it one of the best countries for vegetarian food. Papa a la huancaina (boiled potato with creamy yellow sauce) is found everywhere, deriving its punchy flavour and colour from the yellow aji pepper.

In Bhutan, Real Citizens Don't Eat Meat.

India is ranked top in the world with 38% of the total population being vegetarians. Vegetarianism in the region became popular after the introduction of Buddhism and Jainism which was around 6th Century BC.

Following a vegetarian diet may reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. But some vegetarian diets may rely too heavily on processed foods with too many calories, and too much sugar, fat and salt. These diets may not include enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nutrient-rich foods.

While studies have shown that a vegan diet (VD) may be associated with improved health outcomes [6,7], the negative health repercussions of these food preferences, on the other hand, are rarely highlighted, and veganism may be associated with negative health effects due to nutritional deficiencies.

1. 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.

On that note, the distribution of people, who do not consume meat, across the globe varies, where India has the highest number of vegetarians, due to religious and cultural factors. Approximately 39.5% of India's population is vegetarian. In contrast, Hungary, Serbia, and Russia are the top non-vegetarian countries.

According to our study, Switzerland is officially the European epicenter of vegetarianism. Home to Hiltl, the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world, it's the trailblazer for the likes of kale, acai bowls and lentils.

1. Gujarat: It's estimated that over 60-70% of the population in Gujarat follows a vegetarian diet, primarily due to cultural and religious influences, particularly Jainism and Hinduism.

However, there are vegetarian-friendly countries in the world that naturally excel in meat-free cuisine, such as India, Japan and Australia. Some places have a national palate that naturally tends towards veggie options.