In recent years, plant-based diets have moved from niche to mainstream in the UK, and the vegan lifestyle is more popular than ever. Whether driven by concerns over health, animal welfare, or environmental sustainability, more and more Brits are choosing vegan or plant-based options. But what do the latest UK vegan statistics reveal about how this trend is shaping the market, and what’s next for plant-based eating in the UK?

Here, we’ve compiled 25 compelling statistics about the UK’s growing vegan movement. From market trends to consumer attitudes, these figures shed light on why veganism is here to stay—and why more people are making the switch to plant-based foods in 2025 and beyond.

1. Vegan Population Growth in the UK

Since 2022, approximately 4% of the UK population identified as vegan. This marked a steady rise from previous years, demonstrating the ongoing shift towards plant-based diets in the UK. A decade ago, only a small fraction of people embraced veganism, but now it’s rapidly becoming more mainstream. (Statista)

2. Veganism: From 0.25% to 4% in Just a Few Years

Back in 2014, just 0.25% of the UK population—around 150,000 people—followed a vegan lifestyle. However, by 2016, the number had more than doubled to 276,000 (0.46%). This rapid growth signals how quickly veganism has become a lifestyle choice for many in the UK. (The Goodness Project)

3. Saving Animals Through Veganism

A staggering 600,000 vegans in the UK collectively save an estimated 22.2 million animals every year by avoiding meat and dairy products. This statistic highlights how significant the impact of the vegan community is in terms of animal welfare. (Food Matters Live)

4. A Rising Tide of Reduced Meat Consumption

A third of Brits—approximately one in three—have either stopped eating meat or significantly reduced their consumption of animal products. This shift is an important part of the broader trend toward plant-based eating in the UK. (The Guardian)

5. Plant-Based Interest Soars

In 2019, 19% of Brits said they would consider going vegan, a sign of growing interest in plant-based diets. While not everyone who expresses interest makes the leap, it’s clear that veganism is on the radar for more people than ever before. (The Guardian)

6. The Challenges of Going Vegan

However, 61% of Brits said they were unlikely to switch to a fully plant-based diet. This suggests that while interest is growing, challenges such as taste preferences, availability, and lack of knowledge about plant-based options remain barriers for many. (British Nutrition Foundation - BNF)

7. Europe’s Largest Meat-Free Market

The UK boasts the largest meat-free market in Europe, valued at an impressive £437 million. This market has grown significantly, driven by a surge in demand for plant-based alternatives to traditional meat products. (Statista)

8. Vegan Purchases on the Rise

In 2021, 5% of British consumers bought vegan products. While this might seem like a small proportion, it represents a significant portion of the population contributing to the overall growth of the vegan market in the UK. (Appinio)

9. The UK’s Future Vegan Forecast

Sainsbury’s has projected that by 2025, vegans and vegetarians will make up a quarter of the UK population. With this growth forecasted to continue, it’s clear that plant-based eating is becoming a permanent feature of the UK’s food landscape. (Sainsbury’s)

10. Age Demographics of UK Vegans

The majority of UK vegans fall within the 30-39 age group, which accounts for 4% of the population. Other significant groups include 20-29-year-olds (3%) and 40-49-year-olds (3%). This shows that the vegan movement spans a wide range of age groups, with young adults being particularly prominent. (Statista)

11. Veganuary: A Gateway to Veganism

In 2021, 125,000 people in the UK took the Veganuary pledge to eat only plant-based foods throughout January. This challenge, which has gained immense popularity in recent years, acts as an entry point for many to explore a vegan lifestyle. (The Guardian)

12. Barriers to Plant-Based Meat Alternatives

Despite the growing availability of plant-based meat substitutes, some UK consumers remain hesitant to try them. A survey found that 59% of people were put off by concerns over taste, 37% found them too processed, and 29% felt that vegan options were too expensive. (UBS)

13. Reasons for Going Vegan

A 2021 survey of 1,040 British adults found that 51% of people who switched to a plant-based diet did so for animal welfare reasons. Meanwhile, 49% cited health as their primary motivation, and 31% were driven by environmental concerns. (Mintel)

14. Vegan Consumer Habits Extend Beyond Food

It’s not just food that Brits are choosing to make vegan; 56% of UK adults reported checking if their toiletries were cruelty-free and made vegan-friendly. This shows that plant-based attitudes are extending to a wider range of consumer choices. (Opinion Matters)

15. Supporting Veganism in Schools

A significant 69% of UK parents expressed support for introducing more vegan meals in schools. This demand reflects broader societal trends towards plant-based eating, especially for younger generations. (The Vegan Society)

16. The UK Vegan Food and Drink Market

In 2022, revenue from vegetarian food, plant-based alternatives, and vegan products reached an impressive £1.1 billion. The demand for plant-based alternatives continues to fuel this growth, with increasing numbers of consumers choosing vegan options. (Statista)

17. Growth in Vegan Product Launches

In 2019, a quarter of all new food products launched in the UK were vegan, compared to just one in six in 2018. This rapid increase in plant-based product introductions highlights the growing appeal of veganism for food companies. (Mintel)

18. Tesco’s 300% Increase in Vegan Meat Sales

In 2020, Tesco reported a staggering 300% increase in vegan meat sales, demonstrating how quickly consumers are embracing plant-based alternatives to traditional meat. (BBC)

19. Plant Milk Consumption on the Rise

By 2019, nearly a quarter of Brits were regularly consuming plant-based milk. This number had increased by 19% from 2018, showing that plant milks like oat, almond, and soy are now firmly part of the UK’s dietary landscape. (Mintel)

20. Plant Milk Purchases Continue to Surge

In 2020, 62% of UK adults said they had bought plant-based milk, indicating that non-dairy options are becoming a standard choice for many households. (The Grocer)

21. The Rise of Vegan Books

In recent years, the popularity of veganism has also been reflected in literature. In 2021, Waterstones recorded over 10,000 books with ‘vegan’ in the title, compared to just 944 in 2018, further demonstrating the growing interest in plant-based lifestyles. (Waterstones)

22. The Surge in Vegan Restaurants

According to food delivery platform Deliveroo, the number of vegan restaurants available on their app more than doubled in 2021, with over 12,000 restaurants offering vegan-friendly options. This is a clear indication of how veganism is shaping the restaurant industry. (Deliveroo)

23. Most Vegan Takeaway Orders in Major Cities

In the UK, cities like Brighton, Bristol, London, Manchester, and Edinburgh recorded the highest number of vegan takeaway orders. This highlights the concentration of veganism in urban areas, where plant-based dining options are more widely available. (Deliveroo)

24. Vegan Meals Becoming a Common Part of British Diets

Between 2019 and 2020, the number of Brits eating a vegan meal for lunch or dinner increased by 46%. This reflects the growing acceptance and integration of vegan options into everyday meals. (Premier Foods)

25. The UK’s Changing Eating Habits

The overall trend toward plant-based eating is becoming more entrenched, with more people swapping traditional meat and dairy products for plant-based alternatives. This shift is driven not only by individual health concerns but by a larger cultural movement that embraces sustainability, animal rights, and the desire for innovative food choices.

Conclusion

The vegan movement in the UK is stronger than ever, with more people choosing plant-based lifestyles for a variety of reasons, from health and sustainability to animal welfare. These statistics clearly show that the plant-based food market is growing at an impressive rate and is expected to continue to do so in the coming years. With businesses, food brands, and restaurants tapping into this demand, the future of veganism looks incredibly promising in the UK.

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