Tag: Meat consumption india

While India is often stereotyped as a largely vegetarian nation, recent surveys reveal that the majority of the population consumes meat, at least occasionally. Cultural taboos and political factors often cause underreporting of meat consumption, leading to inflated perceptions of vegetarianism.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Indians have one of the lowest rates of meat consumption per capita globally, despite often being misperceived as a largely vegetarian nation. This dietary pattern is influenced by a complex interplay of historical, religious, economic, and social factors.

Despite a common stereotype, only about 20% to 30% of India's population is strictly vegetarian, meaning the vast majority of the country's citizens do eat meat. The misconception that India is a primarily vegetarian nation is challenged by surveys and research that reveal a more complex reality, with significant regional and demographic variations in dietary practices.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) for 2019-21, nearly 70% of Indians aged 15-49 are non-vegetarian, debunking the common perception of India as a predominantly vegetarian nation. However, a closer look reveals significant variations in meat consumption across different religious communities.

While a long-held stereotype suggests India is a predominantly vegetarian country, research by Natrajan and Jacob indicates that potentially only around 20% are actual vegetarians. This analysis will explore the complex dietary habits that influence what percent of Indians don't eat meat.