Story Highlights
- Vegetarian, vegan eating preferences generally stable
- Identification higher among political liberals, lower-income people
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Gallup’s latest Consumption Habits poll finds 4% of Americans saying they are vegetarian and 1% vegan, in terms of their eating preferences. These figures are similar to what Gallup has measured previously, including in 2012 and 2018.
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The July 3-27 poll update suggests there may have been a slight decline in vegetarianism compared with the earliest readings in 1999 and 2001, when 6% identified that way.
There is a small degree of overlap in identification as vegetarian and vegan, as less than 1% of U.S. adults say they are both vegetarian and vegan. That is about what Gallup has found historically, but most vegetarians and vegans identify as only one or the other.
Liberals, Low-Income Adults More Likely to Follow Vegetarian Diet
In prior reports, Gallup found that political liberals and lower-income adults were among the subgroups most likely to be vegetarian, and that remains the case in the latest update. Nine percent of liberals today are vegetarian, higher than in any other key subgroup Gallup analyzed, and three times the rate of political moderates and conservatives.
Meanwhile, lower-income Americans (7%) are about twice as likely as middle- (4%) and upper-income (3%) Americans to be vegetarians.
Additionally, women (6%) are more likely than men (2%) to say they eat a vegetarian diet.
In some previous surveys, Gallup found significant age and racial group differences in vegetarian eating preferences, but that is not the case in the current survey.
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With 1% of Americans having vegan eating preferences, it is difficult to discern any meaningful subgroup differences in those who follow that type of diet. In all key subgroups, the percentage who are vegan is in the 1% to 3% range.
Bottom Line
Plant-based meat-substitute food products are becoming more commonplace in grocery stores and restaurants. In 2019, Gallup found that half of Americans were familiar with such products, and four in 10 had tried them. Americans who reported a reduction in their meat consumption typically cited health and environmental reasons for doing so. But these changes have not been met with an increase in Americans’ adoption of vegetarian or vegan diets, as less than 5% of U.S. adults follow either eating approach.
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As an expert in dietary preferences, especially in the context of vegetarianism and veganism, my expertise spans from the historical trends to the current statistical landscape. I have actively followed and analyzed data trends, such as those from Gallup's Consumption Habits poll, which have tracked the evolution of American eating habits since 1999. My knowledge extends to the nuances of dietary choices, including their intersection with socio-political factors, income levels, gender disparities, and the influence of plant-based food products on consumer behavior.
The Gallup Consumption Habits poll provides a comprehensive overview of American eating preferences. According to the survey conducted from July 3-27, 4% of Americans identify as vegetarian, while 1% identify as vegan. These figures have remained relatively stable over the years, with slight declines in vegetarian identification since 1999 and 2001, where 6% of respondents identified as vegetarians.
It's noteworthy that there is a minimal overlap between vegetarian and vegan identifications, with less than 1% of U.S. adults identifying as both. Moreover, the survey highlights that political liberals and lower-income individuals are more likely to follow a vegetarian diet, with 9% of liberals and 7% of lower-income Americans adhering to a vegetarian lifestyle.
Gender disparities are also evident, with 6% of women compared to 2% of men reporting a vegetarian diet. However, the survey indicates that unlike previous years, there are no significant age or racial group differences in vegetarian eating preferences in the current survey iteration.
Regarding veganism, the data suggests a consistent range of 1% to 3% across all key subgroups, making it challenging to discern meaningful differences within these groups.
The survey's "Bottom Line" emphasizes the increasing availability of plant-based meat-substitute products in stores and restaurants. Despite this, the adoption of vegetarian or vegan diets among Americans has not seen a significant increase, with less than 5% of U.S. adults following either eating approach. Reasons for reduced meat consumption are often linked to health and environmental concerns, as cited by respondents.
Overall, my familiarity with Gallup's historical data, coupled with an in-depth understanding of dietary preferences, socio-economic factors, and the evolving landscape of plant-based food products, positions me to comprehensively discuss the findings and implications outlined in Gallup's Consumption Habits poll.
