Has there been a rise in veganism?

November 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Veganuary, an estimated 25.8 million people globally tried veganism during January 2025, confirming that interest in plant-based diets is at an all-time high. This statistic is just one piece of evidence supporting the clear and measurable rise in veganism around the world.

Quick Summary

An analysis of global data confirms a significant rise in veganism, driven by increasing awareness of health benefits, animal welfare concerns, and environmental impacts. This growth is evidenced by market trends and participation in events like Veganuary, though regional and social challenges exist.

Key Points

Growing Numbers: The number of people adopting vegan diets is steadily increasing, with global campaigns like Veganuary attracting millions of participants annually.
Health is a Key Driver: Many people are motivated by health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Environmental Awareness: The significant environmental footprint of animal agriculture is a major factor for consumers seeking to reduce their impact on climate change.
Market Growth: The plant-based food market is expanding rapidly, with major investment and innovation in products mimicking meat and dairy alternatives.
Social and Nutritional Challenges: Barriers to full vegan adoption include social pressure, nutritional concerns over specific vitamins, and criticism of highly processed vegan substitutes.
Youth-Driven Trend: Younger generations, particularly Gen Z and millennials, are key drivers of the shift towards plant-based lifestyles and ethical consumption.

The undeniable rise of plant-based living

Statistics from multiple sources indicate a clear upward trajectory in the adoption of vegan and plant-based diets over the last decade. The Vegan Society notes a dramatic increase in its own membership numbers from its early days, reflecting the broader movement's expansion. The global vegan food market was valued at $16.55 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $37.5 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 10.7%. Beyond dedicated vegans, a much larger demographic of flexitarians is also reducing animal product consumption. For instance, in the UK, research found that 46% of Brits aged 16-75 were considering reducing their intake of animal products in 2022. Google Trends data also reflects this surge in interest, showing a peak in searches for the term 'veganism' in recent years. This mainstreaming is further evidenced by major food companies and fast-food chains expanding their plant-based offerings.

Motivations fueling the vegan movement

The reasons people transition to a vegan diet are diverse, often combining ethical, environmental, and personal health factors. Surveys reveal shifting priorities among different demographics, but a few core drivers consistently lead the charge.

Animal Welfare: For many, the central motivation is ethical opposition to the exploitation and suffering of animals in agriculture. A 2019 survey found that 68% of vegans adopted the diet due to concerns over animal wellbeing.
Environmental Impact: Concerns over climate change, deforestation, and resource use linked to animal agriculture have become powerful motivators. Studies from the University of Oxford have highlighted that switching to a vegan diet can significantly reduce an individual’s environmental footprint.
Personal Health: A significant number of individuals turn to veganism for the perceived health benefits. A healthy, well-planned vegan diet has been linked to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and a reduced risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Social Influence and Trends: Events like Veganuary have a massive impact, encouraging millions to try veganism each year. Social media also plays a crucial role in promoting the lifestyle and showcasing the variety of plant-based options.

Veganism across the globe

While veganism is a global phenomenon, its rate of adoption varies significantly by region. India has a long-standing history of vegetarianism driven by religious beliefs, contributing to its high rate of plant-based diets. In contrast, Western countries have seen a more recent, sharp increase. In Europe, the number of vegans is projected to grow from 6.6 million in 2023 to 8.3 million in 2033. In North America, particularly the US, young people are driving the growth, with millennials making up a substantial portion of the vegan population.

The booming plant-based market

The rising interest in veganism has created a robust and growing market for plant-based alternatives. Retail sales of these products continue to surge, prompting massive investments and innovation from major food corporations.

Product innovation and investment

Meat and Seafood Alternatives: Companies like Beyond Meat and NotCo are continuously innovating to create plant-based products that mimic the taste and texture of their animal counterparts. The sales of plant-based meats saw significant growth between 2018 and 2021.
Dairy Replacements: Plant-based milk and other dairy alternatives are a cornerstone of the market, with sales showing robust and consistent growth. Oat milk, for example, has seen massive popularity in recent years.
Expanded Retail and Restaurant Offerings: Mainstream acceptance is evident in the widespread availability of vegan options in supermarkets and fast-food chains. This broad accessibility makes the lifestyle more convenient for consumers.

Challenges and complexities on the rise

Despite the clear growth, the vegan movement is not without its hurdles. One key challenge involves the criticism leveled at highly processed plant-based meat and dairy alternatives. Health-conscious consumers are becoming wary of long ingredient lists and high sodium content in some products. Moreover, social and cultural barriers persist, with many experiencing misunderstandings and pushback from friends and family. Nutritional management also remains a point of concern for some, especially regarding essential nutrients like Vitamin B12, though supplements are readily available. The retention rate for new vegans can be a challenge, with a significant number of individuals returning to animal products after a year.


Motivation Category	Primary Driver	Example Evidence Cited	Challenges or Limitations
Animal Welfare	Ethical opposition to animal cruelty.	High percentage of vegans cite animals as primary motivator in surveys.	Emotional toll and social friction with non-vegans.
Environmentalism	Concern over climate change and resource depletion.	Documented reductions in carbon footprint and land use from vegan diets.	Environmental impact is often underestimated by the general public.
Personal Health	Desire for improved long-term health and well-being.	Lowered risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.	Potential for nutrient deficiencies if not well-planned; some processed alternatives may be unhealthy.
Social Trends	Influence from social media, celebrities, and campaigns.	Impact of Veganuary participation and Google search trends.	Can be a less lasting commitment than other motivations; perceived as a fad by some.

Conclusion: A sustained and evolving trend

So, has there been a rise in veganism? The data overwhelmingly confirms that there has, and it is a multifaceted phenomenon driven by ethical, environmental, and health concerns. While the percentage of the global population identifying as strictly vegan remains small, the broader shift toward plant-based eating—including flexitarianism—is substantial and growing. Despite challenges related to product processing, nutritional planning, and social integration, the market continues to innovate and expand. This trend reflects a deepening consumer consciousness about the origins and impacts of their food, a movement that major food companies are now actively engaging with. The growth is not merely a passing fad but a sustained and evolving dietary and lifestyle shift. Further insights and statistics can be found at the official Vegan Society website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Globally, the percentage of the population identifying as vegan is low, often estimated at around 1%. However, rates vary significantly by region, and a much larger percentage identifies as flexitarian or is actively reducing their animal product consumption.

The main drivers are ethical concerns for animal welfare, a growing awareness of the environmental impact of animal agriculture, and the perceived health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Veganuary has been highly successful in encouraging people to try veganism, with an estimated 25.8 million participants globally in January 2025 alone. A significant percentage of participants report maintaining a reduced intake of animal products long after the month ends.

Yes, the market is experiencing robust growth. The global vegan food market is projected to reach $46.09 billion by 2033, driven by innovation and increasing consumer demand for alternatives to meat and dairy.

Challenges include navigating social situations with non-vegan friends and family, managing potential nutritional deficiencies like Vitamin B12, and finding palatable, affordable, and healthy alternatives to animal products.

Well-planned vegan diets are recognized as healthy for all life stages by organizations like the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. They can be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol but require careful planning to ensure adequate intake of nutrients like B12, iron, and calcium.

Yes, numerous studies confirm that a vegan diet has a substantially smaller environmental footprint than a meat-based diet, primarily due to lower greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water usage associated with animal agriculture.

Surveys show that younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, are more likely to adopt a vegan or plant-based diet. Women are also more likely to be vegan than men.