Food: Meat remains the dominant food source worldwide.

Despite the rise of vegetarian diets and plant-based alternatives, meat consumption remains deeply ingrained in global eating habits. According to a study reported by Statista and conducted in 32 countries, 91% of respondents stated that they consume meat, confirming the central role of these products in the diet of the majority of the world's population.

This trend is occurring within a context of ever-increasing production. In 2024, nearly 373 million tons of meat were produced worldwide. This increase is driven in particular by the improving standard of living in many emerging countries, where the consumption of animal protein continues to rise.

Argentina, South Korea and Spain in the lead

The survey highlights several countries where meat consumption reaches particularly high levels. Argentina leads the way with 97% of respondents reporting meat consumption, followed by South Korea (96%) and Spain (95%). In the majority of countries studied, more than nine out of ten residents report eating meat regularly.

Conversely, India stands out as an exception. With only 56% of its population eating meat, the country has the lowest rate in the study. This peculiarity is largely explained by the influence of religious and cultural traditions that have long favored vegetarianism among a significant portion of the population.

Plant-based alternatives are progressing slowly

While meat remains dominant, some markets are seeing growth in plant-based meat alternatives. In the Netherlands, 19% of respondents report regularly purchasing plant-based meat alternatives, compared to 15% in Switzerland. Vietnam stands out with 22% of its population regularly consuming plant-based substitutes, the highest rate observed in the study.

This trend, however, remains limited on a global scale. Even in highly developed countries, alternative products remain a minority compared to traditional meat consumption. In South Korea, one of the countries with the highest meat consumption, only 6% of respondents reported regularly purchasing plant-based substitutes. This illustrates the long road ahead before a profound transformation of eating habits occurs internationally.