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According to the latest Gallup Consumption Habits poll, 4% of Americans identify as vegetarians, while 1% claim to be vegans in terms of their dietary choices. These percentages closely mirror previous measurements conducted by Gallup in 2012 and 2018. The poll, conducted from July 3 to 27, suggests a slight decrease in vegetarianism compared to figures from 1999 and 2001, when the vegetarian identification stood at 6%.
The survey highlights a minor overlap between vegetarian and vegan identifications, with fewer than 1% of respondents categorizing themselves as both. This trend is consistent with historical data, where most individuals identify as either vegetarians or vegans.
The study indicates that political liberals and lower-income adults are more inclined towards vegetarianism, with 9% of liberals considering themselves vegetarians, a rate significantly higher than that of moderates and conservatives. Lower-income individuals (7%) are twice as likely as middle-income (4%) and upper-income (3%) counterparts to adopt a vegetarian diet. Additionally, women (6%) exhibit a greater propensity for vegetarian eating habits compared to men (2%).
Interestingly, the survey does not find substantial age or racial disparities in vegetarian preferences. However, only 1% of the American population follows a vegan diet, making it challenging to identify specific subgroup trends. Across various demographics, the percentage of individuals adhering to a vegan diet remains within the range of 1% to 3%.
Despite the increasing availability of plant-based meat substitutes and growing awareness of these products, the shift towards such alternatives has not led to a significant surge in the adoption of vegetarian or vegan diets. Although factors like health and environmental concerns contribute to reduced meat consumption, the prevalence of vegetarian and vegan eating approaches remains relatively low, each accounting for less than 5% of the overall adult population.