Vegetarian and vegan dietary practices vary, as does the percentage of vegetarians, among countries. Differences include food standards, laws, and general cultural attitudes toward vegetarian diets. Some countries, such as India, have strong cultural or religious traditions that promote vegetarianism, while other countries have secular ethical concerns, including animal rights, environmental protection, and health concerns.

In general, vegetarians are a minority, except in a small number of exclusively vegetarian cities and towns, such as Rishikesh, which banned the sale of meat, fish, and eggs in 1956, and Palitana, which banned meat sales in 2014, where most or all residents are vegetarians. Some communities are majority vegetarian but meat is sold and consumed in the municipality. Other communities are vegetarian-friendly with a higher than average number of vegetarians but the majority of residents are meat-eaters. In some areas with few or no vegetarians, it may be difficult to find vegetarian food.

In Europe and the United States, vegetarians eat milk and eggs. However, in India many vegetarians consider eggs to be non-vegetarian and falling in the same category as meat. Some vegetarians that choose to abstain from dairy may be labeled as vegan. However, veganism typically refers to abstaining from any act that may directly or indirectly injure any sentient being, thus typically requiring the exclusion of eggs and honey, along with dairy, as well as further non-dietary exclusions such as the purchase of wool, silk and leather and places where animals are being kept like zoos and circuses. In many countries, food labeling laws make it easier for vegetarians to identify foods compatible with their diets.

The concept of vegetarianism to indicate 'vegetarian diet' is first mentioned by the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras of Samos around 500 BCE. Followers of several religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism have also advocated vegetarianism, believing that humans should not inflict pain on other animals.

In January 2022, Google stated that searches for "vegan food near me" had dramatically increased in 2021. The term achieved "breakthrough status", meaning it increased by 5,000 percent or more indicating the rising popularity of vegan diets.

Summary table

The percentages in the following table are estimates of vegetarian and vegan prevalence. Definitions and survey methods vary by country and may measure self-identification, dietary behavior, or both; figures are therefore not necessarily directly comparable.

Country VegetariansVegans% ofpopulationApprox.no. ofindividualsYear% ofpopulationApprox.no. ofindividualsYear 5,400,000 2020 2,500,0002023 518,000 2020 993,000 2022 180,000 2022 800,000 2018 110,0002018 In the survey, 8% of respondents aged 16 or older totally agreed and 6% partially agreed with the statement "I am vegetarian". 22,000,000 2018 15,000,000 2025 2,888,000 20201,768,0002020 – 2,500,000 2018-2020750,0002020 168,000,000 2019 28,000,000 2019 2,000,000 2016 1,000,0002016500,0002019100,0002019 500,000 2020250,0002020 53,200 202013,3002020 448,000 2024168,0002024 375,000 2021115,0002021 6,600,00020241,690,0002024 400,0002022200,0002022 450,000202290,0002022 470,000,0002019–2020population aged 15-49 years 2021121,500,0002021 30,000,000 2022 –153,5002018–146,5002018 640,622 2015400,3892015 5,600,000 20241,300,0002024Most of these vegetarians are Rastafarians.280,0002015 1,675,000 20183,500,000201657,000202019,000202084,300202028,10020201,638,6002019 23,750,000 2016 11,250,0002016 1,100,0002025125,0002025 100,0002018-202050,0002018-2020 215,000 2020215,0002020 5,000,000 20142,000,0002014 2,500,000 2017536,0002017 140,000 202360,000202320242024 1,450,000 2023 Includes vegans380,0002023-50.0002011-50,0002011 1,500,000 2017 700,000 2023380,0002023 621,000 2020414,0002020 308,000 202450,0002024 – 3,297,011 2015201620172019 5,400,000 2019 2,000,0002017 3,464,00020251,386,0002025 14,000,00020235,000,0002023 9,000,000 2011

Africa According to a 2016 survey, the Africa/Middle East region (of which Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates were surveyed) has 16% vegetarians and 6% vegans.

East Africa Vegan dishes are commonplace in Ethiopian cuisine due to mandates by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and Egyptian Coptic Christianity that require weekly fasting (abstaining from all meat products).

As the majority of the population of Mauritius is Hindu, vegetarianism is common and vegetarian cuisine is widely available in restaurants.

North Africa Countries in North Africa have a tradition of cooking in a vegetarian style, with Morocco, Algeria, Libya and Tunisia being particularly connected with this type of cooking which includes couscous and spiced vegetables.

Southern Africa Hindu and Jain immigrants from India brought vegetarianism with them. This trend has been documented as far back as 1895 in Natal Province.

Asia Of five world regions, the Asia–Pacific region has the highest share of vegetarians (19%) and vegans (9%).

East Asia China An estimated 4–5% of people in China are vegetarian,Magistad, Mary Kay. Public Radio International, 27 June 2013, "Vegan lunch: Going meatless in Beijing". Accessed 26 January 2014. with that number growing particularly in urban areas. Tofu, soy milk, and seitan, which are popular among vegetarians around the world, originated in China.

Classical Chinese texts pointed to a period of abstinence from meat before undertaking matters of great importance or of religious significance. People typically abstain from meat periodically, particularly on the eve of Chinese New Year. Although it is more common among adherents of Chinese folk religion, many secular people also do this. Chinese folk religion is similar to Shinto in Japan, as while the killing and eating of animals is not forbidden, it is considered impure and not ideal.

Ancient China was once known for having profound veganism in its food culture. Its widespread vegetarianism originally comes from the Buddhist code (Vinaya) transferred from ancient India which valued not killing animals. With the influx of Buddhist influences, vegetarianism became more popular, though there is a difference between Buddhist vegetarianism and Taoist vegetarianism. Taoist vegetarianism is based on a perception of purity, while Buddhist vegetarianism is based on the dual basis of refraining from killing and of subduing one's own subservience to the senses. Because of this, two types of vegetarianism emerged—one where the practitioner refrained from eating meat, and the in which the practitioner refrained from eating meat as well as garlic, onions, and other such strongly flavored foods. This Buddhism-influenced vegetarianism has been known and practiced by some since at least the 7th century. People who are Buddhist may also avoid eating eggs.

The early 20th century saw some intellectuals espousing vegetarianism as part of their program for reforming China culturally, not just politically. The anarchist thinker Li Shizeng, for instance, argued that tofu and soy products were healthier and could be a profitable export. Liang Shuming, a philosopher and reform activist, adopted a basically vegetarian diet, but did not promote it for others.

Japan

In Japan, it was considered normal to have meat in daily diet. But after Buddhism arrived to the country, the emperor at that time made a law in 675 CE to restrict people from eating cows, horses, dogs, monkeys and chickens. This change is assumed to be a contributor to the spread of 精進料理 (shōjin ryōri), a type of meals that is still eaten at contemporary Buddhist temples.

Even though shōjin ryōri is often assumed to be the same as vegetarian, it has its roots in religion, and the word shōjin ryōri refers to the different ways of cooking and table manners that differ by religious branches, not only it being vegetarian meals. Some of the differences between vegetarian foods and shōjin ryōri is that the usage of onions, garlics, or herbs and vegetables that have strong smells is avoided in addition to the avoidance of meat, and this is because consumption of those foods is believed to prevent one from focusing in Buddhist practices.

South Korea According to The Food and Beverage News, vegetarianism grew from over 7,000 in 2015 to nearly 30,000 in 2019, and many converted for health reasons. Some of the popular reasons for changing their diet are ethical concerns, environmental protection concerns, and to lose weight.

A study by the Korean Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation found that from a study of 5,510 respondents, 418 people followed a diet that refrained from eating meat. From the statistic, 79.7% of them identified as flexitarians (those who eat meat rarely), 11% of them identified as pollotarians and pescatarians (those who still eat poultry but no other meats, and those who still eat fish but no meats), and 6% of them are vegetarians.

With Beyond Meat and other plant-based meat alternatives hitting the shelves of the world, Lotte Mart, a Korean grocery store, noticed the growth in the popularity of meat alternatives. They then produced an alternative to meat called Gogi Daesin, which translates to "instead of meat."

Taiwan

There are more than 6,000 vegetarian eating establishments in Taiwan.Blogger: Aanmelden om te lezen. Taiwantalking.blogspot.com. Retrieved on 6 January 2011. The country's food labelling laws for vegetarian food are the world's strictest, because it has been estimated that more than 3 million Taiwanese people eat vegetarian food, which accounts for approximately 13% of the national population.Taiwan to enact world's strictest law on veggie food labeling|Earth Times News . Earthtimes.org (8 June 2009). Retrieved on 6 January 2011.Taiwan's Vegetarian Population Exceeds 3 Million, and Taipei is Vegetarian-Friendly City|Merxwire. merxwire.com. Retrieved on 3 January 2021. A popular movement of "one day vegetarian every week" has been advocated on a national level.台灣周一無肉日 救己救地球 – 日常保健 – 中時健康網 – 健康萬花筒 . Health.chinatimes.com. Retrieved on 6 January 2011. Also, on a local level, even government bodies are involved, such as the Taipei City Board of Education.台湾教育部提倡学校每周一素!. Chinavegan.com. Retrieved on 6 January 2011. Vegetarian food can be found in meals served on the Taiwan High Speed Rail, Taiwan Railways Administration, major Taiwanese airlines, as well as highway stops.

South Asia India

All-vegetarian locations A small number of religious centers in India have banned all meat sales within municipal boundaries. Since 1956, Rishikesh has banned meat, fish, and eggs. In 2014, Palitana banned meat sales. All vegetarian locations in India are: Haridwar in Uttarakhand, India Palitana in Gujarat, India Pushkar in Rajasthan, India Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, India Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh, India Mayapur in West Bengal

Prevalence of vegetarianism In 2007, UN FAO statistics indicated that Indians had the lowest rate of meat consumption in the world. Some vegetarians in India have been demanding meat-free supermarkets. In Indian cuisine, vegetarianism is usually synonymous with lacto vegetarianism. Most restaurants in India clearly distinguish themselves as being either "non-vegetarian", "vegetarian", or "pure vegetarian" or "Jain vegetarian" depending upon location, chef/staff, ingredients used and items served. With non-vegetarian and vegetarian being self-explanatory, pure vegetarian refers to hotels run by vegetarian staff, owners subscribing to lacto-vegetarianism including avoidance of indirect animal ingredients like rennet, collagen while Jain vegetarian refers to food subscribing to Jain standards. Some restaurants cater to Eggetarians who are lacto-ovo-vegetarians. Vegetarian restaurants abound, and many vegetarian options are usually available.