Vegetarianism on the rise in Australia, Roy Morgan Research
More Australians are deciding to follow a vegetarian diet says a new report from Roy Morgan Research.
According to the report, between 2012 and 2016, the number of Australian adults who decided to become vegetarian, or mostly eat a vegetarian diet, increased from 1.7 million to almost 2.1 million, or 11.2 per cent or the population.
Out of all of the country’s states and territories, New South Wales experienced the largest switch to vegetarianism with a 30 per cent growth in reported vegetarians between 2012 and March 2016.
Where Australia’s vegetarians live: 2012 vs 2016
Source: Roy Morgan Single Source (Australia), April 2011-March 2012 (n=19,167); April 2015-March 2016 (n=14,380)
Why are Australians turning vegetarian?
Roy Morgan’s data revealed that Australian’s are mostly switching to a vegetarian diet to help with their health and weight.
Nearly half of all adults who eat little or no meat agreed with the statement “A low-fat diet is a way of life for me.”
A little over 35 per cent of vegetarians agreed with the statement “I always think of the number of calories in the food I’m eating.”
Industry Communications Director at Roy Morgan Research, Norman Morris, predicts even more Australians will continue to follow vegetarian diets in the future.
“If they have not already, supermarkets and eateries would be wise to revisit their vegetarian-friendly options to ensure they are catering adequately for this growing – and potentially lucrative — consumer segment,” Morris said.
