Infographic: Where the World Eats the Most & Least Meat (2024)

FAQs

Which country eats less meat in the world? ›

India has the lowest meat consumption (3 Kg per Capita per year). India has a significant vegetarian population and vegetarianism is deeply rooted in this country. Moreover, many Hindus abstain from consuming meat especially cow meat due to religious beliefs and restrictions.

Which countries eat the most meat? According to UN Food and Agriculture Organization data reported by website Our World in data, the United States and Australia are the top of the global meat-eating league with more than 120 kg consumed per capita in 2020.

Adherents of Eastern religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism often follow a vegetarian diet. Many of the world's one billion Hindus honor the concept of ahimsa, or nonviolence and compassion toward all beings, which leads them to avoid eating meat.

China is the world's largest consumer of meat. In 2021, China consumed almost 100 million tons of it – 27% of the world's total.

No other country or part of the world has anywhere close to the number of vegetarian people as India, either in percentage of the population or in total number. India is the unique outlier. Going by percentage of the population, Mexico is the second most vegetarian country, at 19%, then Brazil and Taiwan at 14%.

"`Every creature that moves about on the ground is detestable; it is not to be eaten. You are not to eat any creature that moves about on the ground, whether it moves on its belly or walks on all fours or on many feet; it is detestable. Do not defile yourselves by any of these creatures.

Vegetarians don't eat meat for a range of health, environmental, ethical, religious or economic reasons. There are many different types of vegetarianism. A well-planned vegetarian diet can meet nutritional needs during all stages of life.

Livestock production accounts for 18 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, including 9 percent of carbon dioxide and 37 percent of methane gas emissions worldwide, according to the Livestock, Environment and Development (LEAD) Initiative, an international consortium of government and private agencies based at FAO ...

Results: Blacks had the highest annual total meat consumption (64.2 kg), followed by East Asians (53.6 kg), Whites (46.9 kg), and Hispanics (35.8 kg). Blacks ate significantly more chicken than the other ethnic groups (P < 0.001), and East Asians ate significantly more pork and processed meat (P < 0.001).

Is a 100% meat diet healthy? ›

No controlled studies support claims that the carnivore diet can help eliminate health issues. It lacks beneficial nutrients, including fiber and plant compounds like antioxidants. It may be unsafe for some people. The carnivore diet consists entirely of meat and animal products, excluding all other foods.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, pork is the most widely eaten meat in the world (36%) followed by poultry (33%), beef (24%), and goats/sheep (5%).

Which country eats the least food? Vatican City. It's the smallest country with only 800 residents, and 800 people eat a lot less food than millions.

Burmese Buddhists also have a taboo against eating beef, because they consider cows as an animal responsible for working in the fields with human beings. However, it is not strictly considered taboo in populated cities like Mandalay, Yangon etc.

India is thought of as a vegetarian nation. Hinduism, practiced by about 80% of Indians, teaches non-violence towards all living creatures. Jainism and Buddhism also have many followers and advocate similar beliefs.

In Maine, on the other hand, people eat red meat the least frequently in the country, more than once or twice a week, but generally less than three times. Lobster consumption would presumably be a different story.