What percentage of Greeks are vegan? The definitive guide

January 8, 2026 •

3 min read

Recent surveys by the Hellenic Vegetarian Association (HellasVeg) and Kantar AE reveal that only a small fraction of the Greek population identifies as strictly vegan. However, a growing portion of Greeks are exploring plant-based alternatives and consciously reducing their meat and dairy consumption, driven by health and ethical considerations.

Quick Summary

A small percentage of Greeks identify as vegan, but recent studies indicate a significant and growing trend toward plant-based diets and reducing animal product consumption. Health, environmental, and ethical concerns are driving this shift, reflected in declining meat sales and increased interest in alternatives.

Key Points

Low Current Vegan Population: While precise recent data is scarce, estimates indicate a very small percentage of Greeks identify as strictly vegan, potentially around 2-4%.
Strong Intent to Reduce Meat: A significant portion of Greeks are actively reducing their meat consumption, with a 2024 survey showing 70% of consumers intend to decrease their meat intake.
Growing Plant-Based Interest: Combining vegetarians, vegans, and flexitarians, up to 25% of Greeks follow a non-meat-based diet, indicating a broader trend towards plant-based eating.
Traditional Roots: Greek Orthodox Christian fasting periods, known as nistisimo, have long established cultural familiarity with plant-based cuisine, providing a foundation for modern veganism.
Key Drivers: The shift towards plant-based options is motivated by growing concerns over health, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.
Urban vs. Rural Divide: Veganism is gaining more visibility and accessibility in major cities like Athens, which boasts a growing number of vegan-friendly eateries, while options in rural areas remain limited.

Current statistics on veganism in Greece

While a precise, up-to-date percentage of strictly vegan individuals in Greece is not widely available, recent studies highlight a significant shift in dietary habits that includes, but is not limited to, veganism. A June 2024 study by Kantar AE for HellasVeg and the European Vegetarian Union surveyed 750 Greeks and found that roughly 25% follow a non-meat-based diet, a category encompassing flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegans. This indicates a substantial portion of the population is exploring plant-based eating, although not necessarily committing to a fully vegan lifestyle. Earlier data from 2022 and other sources estimated the strict vegan population to be around 2%. The 2024 study also noted that 73% of Greeks are omnivores, but 70% of consumers expressed an intention to reduce their meat consumption.

Factors influencing the dietary shift

Several factors contribute to the evolving Greek diet:

Health Concerns: Many Greeks are reconsidering high meat consumption in favor of healthier plant-based options.
Ethical Considerations: Growing awareness of animal welfare is a significant motivator, with a study noting that 82% of meat-eaters agree there are good reasons to become vegetarian.
Environmental Impact: Increased understanding of the environmental effects of animal agriculture also drives some individuals to reduce their meat intake.
Activism: Organizations like the Hellenic Vegetarian Association (HellasVeg) actively promote plant-based nutrition, influencing public perception and dialogue.

The role of tradition and fasting

Traditional Greek culture incorporates periods of plant-based eating through Orthodox Christian fasting, known as nistisimo. During these times, observers abstain from meat, eggs, and dairy, particularly before Easter. This practice means many traditional Greek dishes are inherently vegan or easily adaptable, making plant-based cuisine familiar and culturally accepted.

Examples of traditional Greek dishes that are vegan or can be made vegan:

Fasolakia Lathera (green beans in olive oil and tomato)
Gigantes Plaki (baked giant beans)
Briam (roasted vegetables)
Fava (split pea puree)
Gemista (stuffed vegetables, often rice-based)
Spanakorizo (spinach and rice pilaf)

Challenges facing the plant-based movement in Greece

Despite increasing interest, the adoption of veganism in Greece faces challenges:

Availability and Cost: Limited availability and higher prices of specialized plant-based products compared to animal products act as barriers. This is particularly true outside major urban centers.
Traditional Habits: Deeply ingrained meat-centric traditions, especially during social and family gatherings, can make a full transition difficult.
Awareness: While growing, public awareness of vegan options and lifestyles is not uniform across the country.

Greek vs. European dietary trends: A comparison

Comparing Greek dietary trends with broader European patterns reveals both similarities and differences.


Feature	Greece (approx. 2024)	Broader European Trends (EU average)
Omnivore Percentage	High (73%)	Generally lower than Greece (e.g., Germany at 45%)
Non-meat based diets (incl. flexitarian, veg, vegan)	25% reported	Growing, with some countries showing higher adoption
Intent to reduce meat consumption	High (70% in 2024)	Also a strong trend across many countries
Vegan percentage	Low (estimated ~2-4%)	Varies widely, higher in some Western and Northern European nations
Key motivator for change	Health, animal welfare, environment	Similar drivers focusing on ethics, environment, and health

This comparison highlights Greece's strong intent to reduce meat consumption despite a high current omnivore rate, suggesting a dynamic period of dietary change.

Conclusion: A shifting diet, not a vegan nation (yet)

In summary, while the percentage of strictly vegan individuals in Greece remains small, the country is experiencing a significant shift in dietary attitudes. Driven by health, ethical, and environmental concerns, a considerable portion of the Greek population is reducing its consumption of meat and dairy and exploring plant-based alternatives. The cultural foundation provided by Orthodox fasting (nistisimo) offers a unique context where plant-based eating is familiar. Challenges such as product availability, cost, and traditional habits persist, particularly outside of major cities. However, with increasing awareness and accessibility, the trend towards plant-based eating, and likely veganism, is expected to continue its growth trajectory. The market reflects this with declining meat sales and rising interest in plant-based options. For current data, the Hellenic Vegetarian Association (HellasVeg) is a key resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

While precise recent figures are limited, estimations from earlier studies and broader trend data suggest the percentage of strictly vegan Greeks is low, likely in the 2-4% range, though interest is growing.

According to a 2024 survey by Kantar AE, a significant 70% of Greek consumers stated their intention to reduce their meat consumption in the future, indicating a major dietary shift.

No, the concept of plant-based eating has deep roots in Greek culture due to Orthodox Christian fasting traditions (nistisimo), which require periods of abstaining from meat, eggs, and dairy.

The number of vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants is increasing, particularly in larger urban centers like Athens, though options are more limited in smaller towns and on islands.

Challenges include the high cost and limited availability of specialized plant-based products, lower public awareness in some regions, and resistance from traditional eating habits.

Motivations for shifting towards plant-based diets are varied and include improving health, addressing concerns over animal welfare, and environmental reasons.

Many traditional Greek dishes are naturally vegan or can be easily adapted to be plant-based, especially those made for fasting periods, such as Fasolakia (green beans) and Gigantes Plaki (baked beans).