New research commissioned by The Vegan Society has found that there are over half a million vegans in Britain.
There are now at least 542,000 people in Britain who are following a vegan diet. This figure represents an increase of over 350% since the last estimate of 150,000, which was made ten years ago. This new figure means that veganism is now one of Britain’s fastest growing lifestyle movements.
The study, which was carried out by leading researchers Ipsos MORI, surveyed almost 10,000 people in the UK aged 15 or over across England, Scotland and Wales – making it the biggest ever poll to quantify the vegan community.
“To have over half a million vegans in Britain is fantastic. More people than ever before are acting upon the health and environmental benefits of veganism, and finding out what really goes on in the meat and dairy industries and deciding they do not want to contribute to the pain and suffering of animals ” – Jasmijn de Boo, CEO of The Vegan Society.
The results will be welcome news to those who care about animals and the planet, as nearly half of vegetarians who are not vegan also said they would like to reduce their consumption of dietary animal products. This equates to 521,000 people across Britain, which could mean that soon Britain could be home to in over one million vegans!
The study also discovered that 3.25% of the population, which equates to around 1.68 million people, are either vegetarian or vegan. It also found that the vast majority of vegans are living in urban or suburban areas (88%) compared with rural areas (12%), and a whopping 22% of all vegans in Britain live in London.
“The reasons behind the rise of veganism are numerous: the positive portrayal in the media has contributed to its changing image; documentaries on the shocking realities and consequences of animal agriculture have gained prominence; delicious-looking vegan recipes have multiplied online and on social media as society becomes increasingly health-conscious; and top vegan athletes keep proving that you can be fit and healthy on a plant-based diet. Going vegan is the best thing any individual can do for the animals, the planet and your health. What are you waiting for?” – Jasmijn de Boo
The movement has picked up momentum in recent years thank to young people making more ethical and compassionate choices in their daily lives, as the study found that close to half of all vegans are in the 15-34 age category (42%), compared to just 14% who are over 65. This is an encouraging figure, as the evidence suggests that we may see even greater growth in the future.
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