Which Gender Eats More Meat? A Surprising Look at Global Eating Habits

November 29, 2025 •

3 min read

Recent studies involving over 20,000 people across 23 countries show that in most regions, men tend to eat more meat than women. This gender disparity in consumption is not universal, however, and is influenced by a complex web of cultural, social, and economic factors.

Quick Summary

Men typically consume more meat than women, with this divide more pronounced in developed nations. This is driven by cultural ties to masculinity, differing health concerns, social norms, and economic factors.

Key Points

Men Eat More Meat: Across many cultures, men tend to consume more meat than women, a trend consistently observed in decades of research.
The Paradox in Developed Nations: The gender gap in meat consumption is often wider in more economically developed and gender-equal countries, not narrower.
Masculinity is a Factor: The cultural association of meat consumption with masculinity is a significant driver, leading men who adhere to traditional gender roles to eat more meat and avoid alternatives.
Health Concerns Differ by Gender: Women are generally more health-conscious regarding meat consumption and more concerned with meat quality and safety than men.
Motivations for Change Vary: Women are more frequently motivated by animal welfare to reduce meat, while men are more often influenced by environmental reasons.
Fluidity in Gender Traits: Intention to adopt meat alternatives is less tied to binary gender and more linked to a person's self-perceived gender traits; those departing from traditional norms are more receptive.

The Global Picture: Men vs. Women

Research consistently indicates that men generally consume more meat than women. However, a 2024 study of eating patterns in 23 countries revealed a surprising nuance: the gender gap in meat consumption is often largest in more developed and gender-equal countries such as Germany, Argentina, and the UK. This suggests that as societies offer more freedom in food choices, gender differences can become more pronounced. Conversely, in countries like China, India, and Indonesia, the study found no significant gender difference, highlighting the strong influence of cultural and contextual factors on dietary habits.

Sociocultural Drivers Behind the Dietary Divide

Social and cultural factors, rather than purely biological ones, are significant drivers of the gender difference in meat consumption. The association between meat and masculinity is well-documented.

The Association with Masculinity

Culturally, meat has been linked to masculine traits like strength and power, reinforced by advertising and media. Historically, men's roles as hunters also contributed to this connection. Studies show men who conform to traditional gender roles consume more meat and are less open to vegetarian or vegan diets, partly due to fear of being seen as less masculine. This also contributes to why women are more likely to be vegetarian or vegan, as plant-based diets can be perceived as challenging masculine identity.

Health, Motivation, and Gender

Gender differences in health perceptions and motivations also influence meat consumption. Women generally show higher awareness and knowledge of nutrition, leading to more critical choices about food, including concerns about meat quality, fat, and health risks. Studies indicate women respect health principles in meat consumption more than men and show greater anxiety about food safety. Consequently, women often consume more fruits and vegetables, while men consume more red and processed meat.

Motivations for reducing meat also differ. Women are more likely to cite ethical concerns for animal welfare, while men tend to cite environmental reasons. Health is a key motivator for both, but women often adhere more strictly to reduced-meat diets.

Economic Factors and Food Choices

Economic development increases overall meat consumption. However, the interaction of economy and gender is complex. In high-income countries with greater gender equality, increased economic opportunity allows women more freedom to choose diverse diets, including plant-based options. Simultaneously, men have more resources to indulge their meat preferences, which can widen the gender gap in these nations.

Comparison of Gender-Specific Dietary Influences


Factor	Influence on Male Meat Consumption	Influence on Female Meat Consumption
Cultural Norms	Strong association with masculinity, power, and traditional gender roles.	Weaker link to meat; less pressure to conform to meat-eating norms.
Health Concerns	Generally less concerned with health risks related to meat consumption.	Higher awareness of nutrition; greater concern about meat quality and health impacts.
Motivations for Diet	More likely to be motivated by environmental concerns to reduce meat, less by animal welfare.	Often more motivated by animal welfare and health to reduce or eliminate meat.
Dietary Alternatives	Less inclined to adopt plant-based alternatives due to association with masculinity.	More open to exploring and adopting vegetarian or vegan diets.
Socioeconomic Status	Increased wealth allows greater opportunity to indulge meat preference, reinforcing consumption.	Increased wealth and opportunity allow greater freedom to choose from a wider range of foods, including plant-based alternatives.

The Rise of Alternatives and the Future of Meat Consumption

The growing market for plant-based alternatives also intersects with gender dynamics. Research indicates that intention to adopt these alternatives is less predicted by binary gender and more by gender-trait self-concept. Individuals who identify with more feminine traits, regardless of their gender, show a greater likelihood of adopting alternatives, suggesting a link between moving away from traditional gender roles and being open to dietary shifts. As gender norms become more fluid, dietary habits may follow suit, necessitating nuanced public health approaches.

Conclusion: More Than Just Appetite

While men generally eat more meat than women, this difference is deeply rooted in a combination of cultural expectations, gender roles, health perceptions, and economic factors, rather than purely biological needs. The cultural link between meat and masculinity remains influential, while increasing awareness and alternative options enable different choices, particularly for women. The observation that the gender gap is wider in more gender-equal societies underscores the complexity of human behavior and the need for multifaceted strategies to address dietary trends like unsustainable meat consumption, considering the unique social and cultural contexts.

Visit Faunalytics for more insights on dietary trends and motivations related to gender.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a 2024 study found that there were no significant gender differences in meat consumption patterns in China, India, and Indonesia, indicating that cultural context plays a crucial role.

The paradoxical gender effect refers to the finding that the difference in meat consumption between men and women is actually larger in countries with higher levels of gender equality and economic development. This is because increased opportunity allows men to indulge their preference for meat while women are freer to explore plant-based options.

This association stems from a long history of cultural norms, reinforced by media and advertising, linking meat to traits of strength, power, and virility. Historically, men's role as hunters also contributed to this stereotype.

Yes, women tend to have higher health awareness and are more concerned with meat quality and safety. They are also more likely to be motivated by animal welfare concerns, whereas men who reduce meat are often more motivated by environmental reasons.

In more developed countries, increased economic resources can amplify existing gender differences. Men can afford to consume more meat, while women have more options to choose from, including more expensive plant-based alternatives.

No, while average men may have higher caloric needs due to body composition, studies suggest that biological factors do not fully explain the significant and complex gender differences in meat consumption. Socio-cultural factors are far more influential.

Studies show that men who conform more closely to traditional masculine gender roles are less open to becoming vegetarian and more likely to consume red meat and chicken frequently. For women, this effect is less pronounced and less direct.