A new report from The Vegan Society, unveiled today (2 January 2026) for Veganuary, offers insights into how vegan diets are shaping global culture and F&B industry innovation.
Titled Veganism Around the World, the report combines international research to build a comprehensive database offering insights into where veganism is gaining ground – and how this is impacting the food and beverage industry.
The report is based on original polling across ten countries, and detailed profiles for 21 countries around the globe.
Consumer behaviour
Polling showed that while veganism remains uncommon, ‘flexitarianism’ – whereby consumers intentionally reduce their consumption of meat and seafood, but do not eliminate completely – is now mainstream. 16-30% of consumers polled identified with this way of eating, indicating a shift toward more environmentally friendly diets.
India was highlighted as a global leader, with 14% of people identifying as vegan and 26% as vegetarian. Overall sentiment toward veganism worldwide was found to be ‘neutral to positive,’ suggesting favourable conditions for category growth, with India the most favourable and Japan the least.
Google Trends data showed that searches for ‘veganism,’ which peaked around 2020, have stabilised. However, they continue to outpace ‘vegetarianism’ and, aside from brief surges, even ‘climate change’.
Polling showed that while veganism remains uncommon, ‘flexitarianism’ – whereby consumers intentionally reduce their consumption of meat and seafood, but do not eliminate completely – is now mainstream. 16-30% of consumers polled identified with this way of eating, indicating a shift toward more environmentally friendly diets.
India was highlighted as a global leader, with 14% of people identifying as vegan and 26% as vegetarian. Overall sentiment toward veganism worldwide was found to be ‘neutral to positive,’ suggesting favourable conditions for category growth, with India the most favourable and Japan the least.
Google Trends data showed that searches for ‘veganism,’ which peaked around 2020, have stabilised. However, they continue to outpace ‘vegetarianism’ and, aside from brief surges, even ‘climate change’.
Leaders in foodservice
Across 21 countries, New Zealand was identified as the most vegan-friendly travel destination, topping vegan-friendly dining per capita (approx. 345 per million) due to many mainstream restaurants offering vegan options.
Taiwan leads on fully vegan restaurants per capita (14.8 per million), while Iceland was the stand-out country within Europe, with 43% of restaurants offering at least one vegan dish.
Portugal followed Taiwan as the second leader globally for fully vegan restaurants per capita, despite ranking third for seafood consumption. Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore also stood out on totals and per capita availability, with many Buddhist-influenced countries offering rich vegan and vegetarian foodservice options due to cultural norms.
The US had the most vegan restaurants in absolute terms (1,717) and now hosts the largest plant-based ecosystem overall by total company count.
Across 21 countries, New Zealand was identified as the most vegan-friendly travel destination, topping vegan-friendly dining per capita (approx. 345 per million) due to many mainstream restaurants offering vegan options.
Taiwan leads on fully vegan restaurants per capita (14.8 per million), while Iceland was the stand-out country within Europe, with 43% of restaurants offering at least one vegan dish.
Portugal followed Taiwan as the second leader globally for fully vegan restaurants per capita, despite ranking third for seafood consumption. Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore also stood out on totals and per capita availability, with many Buddhist-influenced countries offering rich vegan and vegetarian foodservice options due to cultural norms.
The US had the most vegan restaurants in absolute terms (1,717) and now hosts the largest plant-based ecosystem overall by total company count.
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