Share of vegetarians in Germany remains stable in 2025 – gov’t report
Clean Energy Wire
Almost one out of ten people in Germany say they are vegan or vegetarian, a share that has largely remained constant since 2018, according to the agriculture ministry's latest nutrition report. Meanwhile, over a third (37%) of people say they follow a flexitarian diet, occasionally eating meat but largely avoiding it intentionally, the annual report found.
Most people who do not eat meat say they do so for animal welfare reasons (86%), followed by climate and environmental reasons (81%).
Around a third (34%) of people say they regularly buy vegetarian or vegan alternatives to meat or dairy products, with milk alternatives and tofu being the most popular. The share has largely remained constant since 2020. Of those who buy meat alternatives, 69 percent said they do it out of curiosity, followed by animal welfare reasons (61%), and taste and climate concerns (both at 60%).
When asked about political goals for agriculture, 77 percent said they agree with the statement that eating less meat is important for climate protection. The share has remained unchanged since 2023. The majority (56%) is also in favour of higher VAT rates on food that is harmful to the climate and the environment.
Dietary choices, food production and disposal have a big impact on the environment, with around a third of global greenhouse gas emissions attributed to food systems. The main source of these emissions is animal-based food production, while agriculture also drives global deforestation, as well as air, water and soil pollution.
One solution to health and environmental problems lies in changing dietary habits. According to the Planetary Health Diet by the EAT-Lancet Commission, a diet centred on plant-based foods and a significant reduction of red meat, dairy products and added sugars could improve both human and planetary health. Sustainable agricultural practices and a reduction in food waste are key too.
