30 Essential Vegan Statistics for a Healthier Life [Data for 2023] (2024)

Veganism is much more than a diet, fad, or passing trend. It’s a way of life that many people adopt regardless of their age, race, gender, and even religious beliefs.

Have you been thinking about going vegan? Maybe you want to know a little bit more about it before taking the leap. If that’s the case, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got the latest vegan statistics to help you make up your mind and keep you informed.

General Vegan Statistics for 2022 — What Vegans Fight For

The primary goal of most vegans is to save as many lives as they can. Furthermore, they’re aware of the environmental problems caused by the meat and dairy industry and don’t want to participate in it.

Nevertheless, much false information spread across the Internet. So, let’s see what makes people go vegan and how it can help save numerous animals.

1. 25 million farm animals are slaughtered in the US every day.

(Animal Matters)

Among them, 2.2 million are sheep and lamb. Moreover, sheep are slaughtered when they are six to eight months old. One of the essential facts about being vegan is that vegans think killing and eating animals is unnecessary and even harmful to our planet.

2. Around 70 billion farm animals are reared for food every year.

(Animal Matters)

As many as 160 million animals are transported to slaughterhouses daily, and over one billion rabbits are killed for their fur each year. However, many vegan trend statistics prove that many substitutes for animal fur look and feel the same.

3. One vegan saves around 30 animals per month.

(Veestro)

According to statistics on veganism, vegans also save 913 square feet of forest, 620 pounds of harmful carbon dioxide emissions, and 33,481 gallons of water.

4. Documentaries have made 21.9% of survey respondents consider going vegan.

(Vomad Life)

Some of the documentaries that influenced people the most are called “What The Health,” “Cowspiracy,” “Earthlings,” and “Forks Over Knives.” The first one was the most influential, as 26.2% of respondents stated that it made them want to go vegan.

Watching documentaries isn’t just a vegan trend. They are a valuable source of information about the true horrors of the meat and dairy industries.

5. Low-fat, plant-based diets normally reduce LDL levels by approximately 15 to 30%.

(PCRM)

One of the vegan health facts is that plant-based diets are the best for lowering the levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Apart from that, people who suffer from heart disease should undoubtedly follow low-fat, plant-based diets.

6. The global plant-based meat market is projected to reach $16.7 billion in 2026.

(Statista)

The worldwide plant-based meat market was worth $6.67 billion in 2020 and will steadily grow by 2026. The most popular meat substitutes in the US are beef-style alternatives and traditional veggie burgers.

Vegan Industry Facts and Statistics

As the popularity of veganism is growing, new varieties of vegan products are created. For instance, cruelty-free skincare products are a new trend. Furthermore, it’s also possible to substitute non-vegan food with vegan ingredients that have the same taste. Let’s find out more about this industry from the following statistics.

7. The vegan market will be worth $24.3 billion by 2026.

(Globe Newswire)

Vegan stats show that the global vegan food market is growing at a CAGR of 9.1%. What justifies these figures is that vegans pay up to 65% more for meals at restaurants.

8. More than 500,000 people officially took part in Veganuary in 2021.

(GWI)

Each year, more people decide to participate in Vegaunary. For example, the number of vegans who participated in 2019 was 400,000. It seems that people have become more interested in meat-free products since the coronavirus outbreak.

9. The plant-based meat industry is expected to be worth $9.43 billion by 2027.

(Globe Newswire)

Vegan food market statistics show that the meat industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14% from 2019 to 2026. The top manufacturers in this market are Maple Leaf Foods Inc, Marfrig Global Foods S.A., Beyond Meat Inc., Royal Wessanen, MorningStar Farms, Tyson Foods Inc., and Pinnacle Foods Inc.

10. The vegan cheese market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% between 2020 and 2027.

(Globe Newswire)

The popularity of plant-based protein is growing. Statistics on vegans reveal that, in 2019, vegan cheese was the most popular in Europe. Moreover, this market is estimated to reach $4,651.68 million by 2027.

11. The US plant-based food market grew by 27% in 2020.

(GFI)

According to these veganism statistics, it reached $7.0 billion, up from %5.5 billion in 2019. Moreover, the total sales grew by 12% in 2019, from $4.9 billion in 2018.

12. The vegan cosmetics industry is projected to reach $20.8 billion by 2025.

(Statista)

As the data from Statista’s report show, the global vegan cosmetics market is expected to grow by 6.3% yearly. This is firm proof that the percentage of vegans in the world is rising.

Vegan Environmental Statistics

If you’re concerned about environmental problems, you should consider going vegan. Many studies have shown that cutting out meat and dairy from your diet can decrease carbon footprint, combat world hunger, and reduce energy consumption. Read more about it from the following vegan environmental facts and stats.

13. Veganism could save nearly eight million human lives by 2050.

(Oxford Martin School)

We’ve already mentioned that going vegan for a month can save up to 30 animal lives. Of course, it can also save human lives as well. However, following the global dietary guidelines could result in 5.1 million deaths being avoided.

14. Almost half of the water spent in the US is used on raising animals for food.

(Culinary Schools)

Vegan vs. meat-eater statistics reveal that veganism can save water. For example, it takes 2,400 gallons of water to produce one lb. of meat, while only 25 gallons are needed for one lb. of wheat.

15. 58% of greenhouse gas emissions come from animal products.

(BBC)

Adopting a vegan diet could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds. In fact, greenhouse emissions associated with food loss and waste contribute up to 10% of global emissions.

16. Not eating meat and dairy products can reduce a person’s carbon footprint from food by up to 73%.

(Independent)

If you decide to stop consuming dairy and meat products, global farmland use can be reduced by 75 percent, which is equivalent to the size of China, Australia, the US, and the EU combined.

Vegan Health Statistics

Maybe you didn’t know that red meat is classified as a group 2A carcinogen, as it can increase the risk of diabetes, even if you eat it in small amounts. Let’s discuss some differences between a standard and plant-based diet and some pros and cons of veganism.

17. Meat-eaters are 15.5% more likely to suffer from hypertension.

(Independent)

Meat-eaters also have a slightly higher risk (1.8%) of having an apoplectic stroke. However, vegetarians are only 8.5% likely to suffer from arthritis, while meat-eaters are 10.3% more likely.

18. In an experiment from 2019 that included 200,000 people, those on unhealthy plant-based diets had a 32% lower chance of heart disease.

(WebMD)

Facts about veganism point out that being vegan doesn’t always mean that you’ll definitely be healthier. For example, there are so many vegan foods, like french fries, that are bad for your health. This experiment proved precisely that.

Those who ate healthier plant-based food had a 25% lower chance of suffering from heart disease, while those who chose unhealthy options had a 32% higher chance.

19. Vegan men live at least 9.5 years longer than their non-vegan peers.

(PETA)

Vegan death rates are considerably lower. For example, vegan women live at least 6.1 years longer than women who eat meat. However, the vegans’ skin is much more likely to show signs of aging.
The main three reasons for this are a lack of essential fats, no bioavailable collagen, and the high amount of carbs they consume.

20. A vegan diet reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 23%.

(Harvard)

Plant-based diets reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and blood pressure, alleviating systemic inflammation, and reducing weight gain.

21. The vegan cancer rate is the lowest than the rate of any other diet.

(Mayo Clinic)

A plant-based diet can help prevent one-third of cancer cases. Moreover, vegan cancer statistics based on research including nearly 70,000 volunteers show that people who don’t consume animal products have the lowest chances of developing cancer.

22. Vegans and vegetarians have 3 more stroke cases per 1,000 people and 10 fewer cases of heart disease than meat-eaters.

(BBC)

According to research that lasted 18 years, people who are vegetarian or vegan have a lower risk of heart disease. However, even though vegan heart attack rates are somewhat lower, they still have certain predispositions for suffering a stroke.

Vegan Nutrition Facts and Statistics

Going vegan might be easier than you think. Since more people choose to follow this diet, you can find substitutes for almost all non-plant-based food. Read the following statistics to find out more about vegan nutrition, along with additional information about vegan food.

23. 14g of vegan buttery sticks contain 100 calories and 11 grams of fat.

(Healthline)

Plant-based butter is high in calories because it’s mainly made from plant-derived oils. Although it can also be high in omega-6 fatty acids, vegan butter nutrition facts confirm that it’s healthier than the regular one.

24. Vegan eggs contain 0mg of cholesterol.

(Utah Farm Bureau)

If you want to lose weight, you might consider swapping regular eggs with vegan eggs. One of the vegan egg nutrition facts that confirm this statement is that a plant-based egg has 1.5g less fat and fewer calories.

25. Veganism cuts 100% of bad cholesterol from a person’s diet.

(The Vegan Review)

Plant-based meat doesn’t contain bad cholesterol, and it’s a well-known fact that high levels of cholesterol increase the likelihood of heart disease. Numerous facts on veganism also indicate that vegans ingest the least fat and the most fiber.

26. 28g of vegan cheese contains 3.3g of protein.

(Nutritionix)

Many people worry that going vegan will prevent them from gaining muscle mass, and that’s not true. On the contrary, vegan cheese nutrition facts prove that vegan food contains enough protein, and you can build muscles even on a plant-based diet.

Statistics on Vegan Demographics

Surprisingly, a majority of vegans are women. However, that shouldn’t discourage men from doing the same. In this section, you’ll find out about the global demographics of people on plant-based diets.

27. The total number of vegans in 2021 is around 79 million.

(The VOU)

Although it’s not easy to determine the exact number of vegans worldwide, vegan facts show that only 0.1–1% of the world population adheres to a plant-based diet.

28. 2–6% of the US population is vegan.

(Plant Proteins)

The number of vegans in the US has increased by 600% since 2014, which is uplifting. Yet, we still have a long way to go until enough people realize the importance of saving the environment, other living beings, and our health.

29. 12% of millennials are vegan or vegetarian.

(Mercy for Animals; Statista)

Younger generations adopt vegan lifestyles at almost double the rate of older Americans. On the other hand, vegan statistics show that only 2.5% of Americans older than 50 follow plant-based diets.

30. Almost three in four vegans are female.

(Vegan Bits)

In the US alone, 78% of vegans are women. In contrast, the male to female ratio of vegetarians is more balanced, with 59% of the vegetarian population being female and 41% being male.

Vegan Statistics – A Quick Summary

Living a life as a vegan isn’t as tricky as some might think. Moreover, being a vegan has numerous beneficial effects on a person’s health.

We hope these statistics have helped you decide about going vegan. Finally, we’ve given you enough stats and facts on veganism to make the right decision.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to stop using or eating animal-based products at once. For example, you can try swapping to organic food first. Even the slightest change will save many lives and benefit your health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many people are vegan in the US?

It’s difficult to say how many Americans are vegan, but research shows that around 6% of US citizens embrace the vegan diet. In fact, the number of vegans has increased by 600% since 2014.

People have become more aware of the environmental issues, which influenced the number of vegans. Furthermore, thanks to the internet, we now know what kinds of issues people face in other parts of the planet (e.g., melting of icebergs, forest fires, and similar) and how detrimental the meat, egg, fur, and other industries really are.

How many people are vegan in the world?

According to the latest statistics, approximately 79 million people worldwide follow a vegan diet, most of whom are female. On the other hand, men are relatively reluctant to try and follow this diet since it’s considered feminine.

Luckily, the vegan trends include more men each day. Even famous male celebrities like Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, and Jared Leto are vegans.

Are vegans healthier on average?

Vegans are considered healthier than meat-eaters. Nonetheless, there are pros and cons to long-term veganism. For example, vegans live longer, but their skin wrinkles faster. Also, they have a higher chance of suffering a stroke.

However, the only supplement vegans need to take is vitamin B12 (also known as cobalamin) since it can only be found in fish, meat, dairy, eggs, and poultry

Do vegans age faster?

According to some studies, a vegan diet won’t impact your aging process. Furthermore, vegans could age slower by eating more vegetables and fewer calories. Still, that’s not scientifically proven.

Vegans can also look younger mainly because they usually eat healthier food and take more care of their well-being.

Do vegans live longer?

Vegans live longer because they have a 15% lower risk of dying from all causes, meaning that a vegan diet may be the reason. However, as mentioned before, going vegan might increase the likelihood of some other medical conditions.

Nevertheless, researchers from Loma Linda University in the US have discovered that vegetarians live longer than non-vegetarians.

What country has the most vegans?

Israel has the highest percentage of the vegan population, as 5% of them identify as vegans and 13% as vegetarians. The reason for this doesn’t lie in cultural or religious beliefs. Instead, it’s general health awareness, along with available vegan products and restaurants.

Regarding races, Black Americans are almost three times as likely to be vegan or vegetarian as other races in the US, as vegan statistics show.

Sources:

1. Animal Matters
2. BBC
3. BBC
4. BBC
5. Culinary Schools
6. GetOffYourAcid
7. GFI
8. Globe Newswire
9. Globe Newswire
10. GWI
11. Harvard
12. Healthline
13. Independent
14. Independent
15. Live Kindly
16. Market Watch
17. Mayo Clinic
18. Mercy for Animals
19. Nutritionix
20. Oxford Martin School
21. PETA
22. PETA
23. PETA
24. PCRM
25. Plant Based News
26. Plant Based News
27. Plant Proteins
28. Statista
29. Statista
30. Statista
31. The Vegan Review
32. The Vegan Society
33. The VOU
34. Utah Farm Bureau
35. Vegan Bits
36. Veestro
37. Vomad Life
38. Vomad Life
39. WTVOX