Is Meat Consumption Reducing? Global Trends and Regional Shifts

December 16, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global meat production has increased fivefold since the 1960s, reaching over 340 million tonnes annually. This statistic underscores a complex reality: while global meat consumption is not reducing overall, significant shifts are occurring across different regions and demographics, influencing dietary patterns worldwide.

Quick Summary

An analysis of worldwide data shows that total meat consumption is increasing, propelled by population growth and rising incomes in developing economies. Simultaneously, per capita intake is plateauing or declining in many high-income countries, driven by health, environmental, and ethical concerns.

Key Points

Global Consumption is Rising: Overall meat consumption is not decreasing but is increasing globally, primarily driven by population growth and rising incomes in developing regions.
Per Capita Consumption is Shifting: Per capita meat intake is stagnating or slightly declining in high-income countries like North America and Europe due to growing health and environmental awareness.
Poultry Leads the Growth: The increase in global consumption is largely fueled by poultry, which is often more affordable and perceived as healthier than other meat types.
Red Meat Consumption is Decreasing in Some Areas: High-income regions are seeing a decline in per capita red meat (beef and pork) intake, influenced by health concerns and environmental impact awareness.
Alternatives are Gaining Traction: The market for plant-based and other alternative proteins is growing, offering consumers more options and contributing to the shift away from traditional meat.
Health and Environment are Key Drivers: Consumer decisions, especially in developed nations, are increasingly motivated by health risks associated with red and processed meats and the environmental footprint of livestock production.
Future is Uncertain: Projections indicate continued global growth but the future is complex, with regional variations and potential disruptions from animal diseases or economic factors.

The Complex Global Picture

Despite widespread discussions about vegetarianism and sustainability, the overall global trend indicates an increase in total meat consumption. This is largely a story of two different worlds: the consumption patterns of high-income nations versus those in developing and emerging economies. While North America and Europe have seen per capita consumption stagnate or slightly decline, many countries in Asia, Latin America, and Africa are experiencing significant growth as prosperity and demand for higher-value food products rise. This dynamic creates a misleading picture if only focused on one region.

Population and Prosperity Driving Demand

For a large portion of the world, especially in developing regions, meat remains a highly desirable source of protein and an indicator of rising status. The sheer scale of population growth, combined with increasing disposable income, is the most powerful engine for rising aggregate consumption. For example, studies project substantial increases in total meat demand in regions like Asia over the coming decade. This surge in demand easily outweighs the more modest reductions seen in individual dietary shifts in wealthier countries.

Shifting Demographics and Dietary Preferences

In developed regions, consumer behavior is undergoing a transformation. A growing number of consumers identify as flexitarians, actively reducing their meat intake without eliminating it entirely. This trend is fueled by a combination of factors, including health consciousness, environmental awareness, and animal welfare ethics. Younger generations, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, often prioritize these issues in their purchasing decisions, signaling a long-term shift in consumer values.

The Rise of Plant-Based Alternatives

An increase in interest and availability of plant-based meat substitutes is a key part of this story. The global plant-based meat market is expanding, driven by innovations in taste, texture, and variety. While recent market data shows some sales declines in certain regions like the U.S. amid inflationary pressures, overall global sales of plant-based foods continue to grow. For many consumers, these alternatives offer a way to reduce animal product consumption without completely sacrificing the experience of eating meat, particularly in convenient formats like burgers and nuggets.

Comparative Analysis of Meat Consumption Drivers


Driver Category	Factors Increasing Meat Consumption	Factors Reducing Meat Consumption
Socioeconomics	Population Growth (Global) Rising Incomes (Developing Nations) Lower Costs (e.g., Poultry)	Cost-of-Living Increases Higher Prices for Some Meats
Consumer Preference	Taste and Tradition Convenience (Ready-to-eat meals) Cultural Significance	Health Concerns (e.g., heart disease, cancer) Flexitarianism (Partial reduction) Demand for Alternatives (Plant-based)
Environmental & Ethical	Traditional Practices Cultural Norms	Environmental Impact (GHG emissions, land use) Animal Welfare Concerns Sustainability Awareness

The Environmental and Health Nexus

Scientific bodies like the IPCC and health organizations have highlighted the environmental and health implications of high meat consumption, particularly red and processed varieties. Livestock production is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and requires substantial land and water resources. From a health perspective, excessive red and processed meat intake is linked to increased risks of chronic diseases, including colorectal cancer and cardiovascular conditions. This growing body of evidence is a major motivator for consumers in developed countries to reconsider their diets. Efforts by sustainability experts and organizations like the WWF are helping to shift public perception and encourage a move toward more sustainable eating patterns.

What the Future Holds

Future projections by organizations like the OECD and FAO suggest that global total meat consumption will continue to rise over the next decade, though at a slowing rate in some areas. The growth will be heavily driven by poultry, which is expected to see significant expansion, especially in emerging markets. Meanwhile, per capita consumption in many high-income regions will likely remain stable or continue its slight decline. The evolving market for plant-based and other protein alternatives will play a larger role, potentially gaining market share as prices become more competitive and products improve. As consumer priorities around health and sustainability gain prominence globally, the meat industry faces a crucial period of adaptation to meet shifting demands and environmental realities.

Navigating the Challenges

While the long-term outlook points to continued global growth, the journey for the meat industry is not without risks. Factors such as recurring animal disease outbreaks (e.g., avian influenza, African swine fever) and fluctuating production costs can disrupt supply chains and impact consumer confidence. Furthermore, the growing debate over the environmental footprint of different meat types (e.g., high-impact beef versus lower-impact poultry) suggests a future where consumers become more discerning about the protein sources they choose. A sustainable and equitable future for food production will require a nuanced, context-specific approach, acknowledging regional differences in dietary patterns and economic development.

Conclusion In summary, the question of whether is meat consumption reducing yields a complex, multi-layered answer. Globally, the data suggests overall consumption is still rising, primarily fueled by population growth and increased affluence in developing countries. However, within this broad trend lies a critical sub-narrative: per capita consumption is indeed showing signs of leveling off or decreasing in many developed nations. This regional shift is driven by increasing awareness of health, environmental, and ethical concerns, bolstered by a growing market for plant-based alternatives. The future of meat consumption will be shaped by the interplay of these opposing forces—expanding demand in emerging markets countered by evolving values in established ones—making for a dynamic and unpredictable food landscape.

The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook is a reliable resource for future projections regarding global meat consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, overall global meat consumption is not declining. It is increasing, largely due to population growth and rising incomes in developing regions, which offset the stagnation or slight decrease in per capita consumption seen in some wealthier countries.

In high-income countries, meat consumption is influenced by growing health consciousness, concerns about the environmental impact of livestock farming, and ethical considerations regarding animal welfare.

Globally, total red meat consumption is increasing, but per capita consumption trends differ by region. Per capita intake is declining or stagnating in developed nations, while demand rises in many developing countries.

The market for plant-based alternatives is growing and providing consumers with substitutes, contributing to reduced conventional meat consumption, especially in developed countries. However, they face challenges related to price and taste parity.

Poultry is a significant driver of overall meat consumption growth. It is generally more affordable and perceived as healthier than other meats, making it a popular choice in both developed and developing regions.

High-income regions like North America and Oceania have historically consumed the most meat per capita, while lower-income countries often consume the least. However, demand is growing rapidly in parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

According to reports like the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook, total global meat consumption is projected to continue increasing over the next decade. However, per capita trends will likely continue to diverge by region, with growth concentrated in emerging economies.