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10 Vegetarian Countries:  Vegetarianism is the practice of not eating meat or fish, along with their by-products, due to several factors like moral, religious, or health reasons. The lifestyle of vegetarianism is at its peak currently, with worldwide acceptance and people becoming more health-conscious, eco-conscious, and culturally dependent on plant-based food. Most of the population of certain nations has already adopted vegetarianism because of their religious and cultural mindset. However, on the other hand, there are nations that are following a vegetarian diet due to ethics and lifestyle. To know more, here is a list of the top 10 vegetarian countries, as per recent data by the World Population Review report.

List Of Top 10 Vegetarian Countries In The World:

Country  Vegetarian Population Percentage (2024)  Total Vegetarian Population
India  29.5 Per Cent  121,500,000
China  4.5 Per Cent  28,000,000
Brazil  14 Per Cent  15,000,000
Mexico  19 Per Cent 11,250,000
United States 4.2 Per Cent  5,000,000
Japan  9 Per Cent  3,500,000
Philippines  5 Per Cent  2,000,000
United Kingdom 10 Per Cent  2,000,000
Canada  7.6 Per Cent  1,768,000
Germany  10 Per Cent  1,660,000

Source: World Population Review Report

Which Are The Top 10 Vegetarian Countries In The World?

1. India

India has the largest population of vegetarians. The nation of billions surpasses major developing nations with almost 12.15 crore people following a vegetarian diet. Indian food culture is also majorly affected by religious choices like Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism because meat-based diets are prohibited in these religions. Additionally, Indian traditional food has a diverse range of vegetarian food.

Also Read:  Top 10 Indian States That Consume The Most Meat

2. China

China has the second-largest vegetarian population, which is around 2.8 crores. However, only 4.5 per cent of the population is vegetarian here. Buddhist, Taoist, and environmental influences are some of the major reasons which showcase China’s growing rate in vegetarian population.

3. Brazil

Brazil has the third-largest population of vegetarians. The nation comprises plenty of meat-dominated food options, but as awareness about animal rights and the environmental impact of animal husbandry is pushing the country to bring about better changes.

4. Mexico

Mexico has around 1,1 crores vegetarians. To your surprise, most Mexican foods contain meat; still, many Mexicans are adopting vegetable diets like beans, corn, and fresh vegetables.

5. United States

The United States has 50 lakh vegetarians, or 4.2 per cent of the population, who are vegetarians here. The plant-based lifestyle is making a buzz on the Internet, all thanks to the growing ease of availability of vegetarian and vegan food items.

 

6. Japan

Japan has 35 lakh vegetarians, which is 9 per cent of the total population. All thanks to the prevalent Buddhist cultures.

7. Philippines

In the Philippines, there are 2 million vegetarians or 5% of the total population. There is an increased popularity of being a vegetarian due to health issues and learning from world lifestyle trends. Vegetarian Filipino food commonly employs fresh fruits, vegetables, and coconut-based foods.

8. United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has approximately 2 million vegetarians, which represents 10% of the population. The vegan and vegetarian movement is very prominent in British society, with supermarkets, restaurants, and cafes having a wide variety of meat-free foods. Increasing awareness regarding sustainability has further promoted vegetarianism in the UK.

Also Read: List Of Top 10 Highest Meat Consumption Countries In World: Know Where India Stands

9. Canada

Canada hosts 12 lakh vegetarians, which is 7.6 per cent of the total global vegetarian population. Environmentalism and health are strong driving forces for Canadians adopting vegetarian diets.

10. Germany

Germany has around 16 lakh vegetarians, which makes the nation see a significant growth of plant-based products. Germany is the top consumer of vegetarian and vegan products across Europe.

On this World Vegetarian Day 2025, you can also share captions,  quotes, and slogans to promote awareness about the green diet. The above-mentioned list of the world’s top 10 countries with the largest vegetarian population comprises nations that consume less meat due to dietary concerns, health reasons and even religious beliefs. It also highlights the fact that vegetarianism is not just due to religious or cultural heritage but has become a mass movement against bad health, environmental, and moral reasons.