New research by The Vegan Society and Vegan Life magazine shows there are now three and half times as many vegans in Britain as there were in 2006.
At least 542,000 people in Britain (1.05% of the 15 and over population) are now following a vegan diet and never consume any animal products including meat, fish, milk, cheese, eggs and honey. This enormous increase since the last estimate of 150,000 ten years ago, makes veganism one of Britain’s fastest growing lifestyle movements, says the Vegan Society.
The study, carried out by Ipsos MORI, surveyed almost 10,000 people aged 15 or over across England, Scotland and Wales – the biggest ever poll quantifying 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,” said Jasmijn de Boo, CEO of The Vegan Society.
The study also found that 3.25% of the population, around 1.68 million people, are either vegetarian or vegan. More than 860,000 of all vegetarians and vegans also avoid all non-dietary animal products such as leather and wool.
