Understanding the Data: What Percentage of Vegetarians Quit?

October 18, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a frequently cited 2014 Faunalytics study, approximately 84% of individuals who try a vegetarian or vegan diet eventually abandon it and return to eating meat. This often-misinterpreted statistic prompts deeper questions about dietary commitment, the challenges people face, and the overall landscape of vegetarian recidivism.

Quick Summary

Studies show a significant number of individuals who attempt vegetarianism eventually return to eating meat, often due to health issues, social pressures, or cravings. The statistics vary depending on study methodology, length of adherence, and motivation for the diet change. Former vegetarians often cite multiple complex factors for their decision.

Key Points

Misleading Statistics: The often-cited statistic that 84% of vegetarians quit is largely based on a 2014 study that included short-term dieters, some lasting less than a year.
Long-Term Adherence: Other studies, like EPIC-Oxford, show much higher long-term adherence rates, with over 70% of vegetarians remaining committed after 20 years.
Primary Reasons for Quitting: The main reasons former vegetarians cite for returning to meat are health concerns (like low energy), social difficulties, and persistent cravings.
Role of Motivation: People with multiple, stronger motivations (health, environment, ethics) are more likely to stick with the diet long-term compared to those with a single, weaker motivation.
Importance of Community: Lack of support from a community or social network is a significant factor in abandonment. Finding like-minded groups helps maintain resolve.
Genetics and Recidivism: Some preliminary research suggests a genetic component may influence cravings and a person's ability to sustain a vegetarian diet.

Examining the 84% Recidivism Figure

The headline-grabbing figure that 84% of vegetarians quit originated from a 2014 study conducted by the Humane Research Council (now Faunalytics). While widely publicized, this number is nuanced and requires context. The study surveyed former and current vegetarians and vegans, and the 84% applied to those who identified as having abandoned the diet. A closer look reveals that over half (53%) of the lapsed participants had followed the diet for less than one year, with a third lasting three months or less, suggesting a high turnover among short-term dieters.

Later analysis and different studies, like the long-term EPIC-Oxford study, present a different picture for long-term commitment. One report from EPIC-Oxford showed that after five years, 85% of self-identified vegetarians and vegans were still following their diet. After 20 years, 73% were still committed. This highlights a key distinction: short-term attempts differ greatly from the long-term commitment seen in more dedicated groups.

The Complex Reasons for Quitting

Quitting vegetarianism is rarely a simple decision. Research indicates a multitude of interconnected factors contribute to dietary reversion. A 2011 Faunalytics study of 77 former vegetarians identified several key categories for lapsing. These factors often overlap, with personal health, social life, and the sheer inconvenience of maintaining the diet featuring prominently in many narratives. For some, the initial motivations—such as animal welfare or environmental concerns—were not strong enough to overcome the practical and social hurdles.

Reasons Why Vegetarians Return to Eating Meat

Health Concerns: The most common reason cited by former vegetarians in some studies is health. Some individuals feel their energy levels drop, develop nutrient deficiencies (like iron or B12), or simply feel better with meat in their diet. For example, some may experience persistent fatigue or anemia. While a well-planned vegetarian diet is healthy, inadequate nutritional planning can lead to issues, causing people to reconsider their choice.
Social and Emotional Challenges: Feeling like an outsider or experiencing social stigmas can wear down resolve. Former vegetarians report being tired of explaining their diet at family gatherings or social events, and feeling alienated because of their dietary restrictions. Eating meat can be deeply tied to cultural traditions and social rituals, and abstaining can lead to feelings of isolation. This social pressure, mentioned by 15% of respondents in one study, can be a significant hurdle.
Cravings and Taste: For many, the simple craving for meat, triggered by smells or memories, is a powerful force. This is particularly true for those who adopt the diet for health reasons rather than ethical ones. Some studies have even explored potential genetic links influencing cravings and the ability to thrive on a vegetarian diet.
Inconvenience: The practicalities of a vegetarian lifestyle—from meal planning to dining out—can be exhausting. As one former vegetarian noted, the constant need for vigilance and modification can become a burden. This hassle, which can include higher costs for certain specialty items or less availability of options, was cited by 13% of respondents in one study.
Ethical Evolution: A smaller percentage of people may experience a shift in their ethical perspective over time, moving from an all-or-nothing approach to one that incorporates ethical meat-eating or reduction. For some, returning to meat is accompanied by a newfound focus on sourcing meat ethically rather than an outright rejection of animal welfare principles.

Comparison of Former vs. Current Vegetarians


Factor	Former Vegetarians	Current Vegetarians
Primary Motivation	More likely to have just one motivation, often health.	Often motivated by a combination of health, ethics, and environmental concerns.
Diet Duration	Over half lasted less than one year; a third for three months or less.	Significant portion have adhered for 10+ years.
Community Support	Less likely to have been actively involved in a vegetarian community or group.	More likely to be part of a supportive community, either online or in person.
Identity Perception	Majority (58%) did not see vegetarianism as part of their identity.	More likely to integrate the diet into their personal identity.
Perspective on Quitting	Often cite health, social pressure, and cravings as reasons.	More likely to view the choice as a permanent lifestyle, rather than a temporary diet.

The Role of Community and Mindset

The Faunalytics study found that former vegetarians were less likely to have been actively involved in a vegetarian community, highlighting the importance of support networks for long-term adherence. Community involvement, whether through potlucks, online groups, or social networks, provides reinforcement and reduces the feeling of being an outlier. Furthermore, viewing vegetarianism as an identity or core value, rather than a simple diet, is strongly correlated with sustained commitment. Those who commit for a wider array of reasons—including ethics, environment, and health—appear to have stronger, more resilient motivation than those focused on a single factor.

Can Genes Influence Vegetarian Adherence?

Emerging research suggests that genetics may also play a role in a person's ability to maintain a vegetarian diet. Some studies propose that genetic variations affecting how people metabolize lipids could influence food preferences and cravings. This could potentially explain why some individuals experience strong, persistent meat cravings, suggesting a biological component beyond willpower. While more research is needed, this area offers another dimension to understanding why adherence rates vary significantly among individuals.

Conclusion

The question of what percentage of vegetarians quit is complex, with statistics varying significantly based on methodology and the time frame of the study. While older, frequently cited figures point to a high recidivism rate, especially among short-term dieters, long-term studies show that a large percentage of committed individuals maintain their dietary choices for decades. The decision to quit is a multi-faceted one, influenced by a combination of health issues, social pressures, cravings, and lifestyle inconvenience. Those who succeed long-term often possess strong, multi-faceted motivations and a robust support system. Rather than focusing solely on the percentage who quit, a more productive approach is to understand the challenges and support systems that can help individuals successfully maintain their dietary goals.

For further reading on the factors influencing dietary change, refer to the full Faunalytics report from 2014 at their official website: https://faunalytics.org/a-summary-of-faunalytics-study-of-current-and-former-vegetarians-and-vegans/

Frequently Asked Questions

The 84% statistic, from a 2014 Faunalytics study, is often misinterpreted. It reflects a high turnover rate among short-term dieters who tried vegetarianism, with many quitting within a year, rather than a universal failure rate for long-term commitments.

Based on studies, the most frequently cited reason is health concerns, such as feeling unwell, low energy, or experiencing perceived nutritional deficiencies. Social issues, convenience, and persistent cravings are also major factors.

Of those who eventually return to eating meat, a large portion do so relatively quickly. Over half of lapsed vegetarians and vegans in one study quit within a year, and about a third lasted less than three months.

Some studies suggest vegans may be more likely to stick with their dietary choice than vegetarians. This could be because vegans are more often motivated by ethical reasons, which tend to be a stronger predictor of long-term adherence.

Yes, research indicates that those who are part of a supportive community, whether online or in person, are significantly less likely to abandon their vegetarian diet. Community provides reinforcement, support, and a sense of belonging.

Some emerging research suggests a genetic link. Genetic variations may influence how an individual's body metabolizes nutrients and how strongly they experience cravings for certain foods, potentially affecting their ability to thrive on or stick to a meat-free diet.

Yes, research shows that many individuals who quit vegetarianism don't revert to their previous level of meat consumption. They often consume less meat than before and may adopt a flexitarian or semi-vegetarian approach.