In 2017, the Portuguese Parliament passed Law No. 11/2017, mandating at least one vegan option in all public-sector canteens, including schools, universities, hospitals, and prisons.

The law was heavily supported by the animal rights party PAN (People–Animals–Nature) and framed as a step toward inclusivity and sustainability.

This decision marked a rare moment when ethics, public health, and environmental concern converged into law. According to the European Commission , food-related emissions account for nearly 31% of global greenhouse gases, pushing governments to rethink how food is supplied in public spaces.

Furthermore, the World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that plant-based diets can significantly reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and obesity, aligning the law with long-term public health goals.

This year’s major UN climate reports have emphasised food-system reform as essential to meeting global climate targets. The UN Environment Programme stated that shifting toward plant-based diets could slash agricultural emissions and land use dramatically.

Meanwhile, the global conversation around veganism has expanded beyond animal ethics. In 2024–2025, rising food prices, supply chain shocks, and conflict-driven shortages have pushed public institutions to reevaluate their menu strategies .

However, while several countries are introducing plant-forward guidelines, none have legislated a mandatory vegan meal nationwide. The UK, Germany, and the Netherlands have debated similar policies but stopped short of legislation. Some cities, like New York City, have introduced plant-based hospital meals by default, but not through national law.

A ranking by World Population Review (WPR) lists the nations with the largest proportion of vegetarians in 2025, revealing that India far outstrips any other country when it comes to meat‑free diets.

With 29.5 % of its population shunning meat, India tops WPR’s list by a wide margin. The ranking translates to roughly 276 million vegetarians across the country, far more than the total populations of most nations.

India’s vegetarianism is rooted in cultural and religious traditions, particularly among Hindus, Jains and Buddhists, for whom ahimsa (non‑violence) extends to animals. WPR notes that 9% of Indians (approximately 121 million people) also identify as vegan.

The second spot goes to Mexico, where 19% of residents, about 23.8 million people, are vegetarian. An equal share, 9%, identify as vegan, indicating a sizeable plant‑based movement. Brazil follows with 14% of its population, or roughly 29.3 million people, avoiding meat. The rise of vegetarianism in Latin America is often tied to health trends, environmental concerns and animal welfare campaigns.

Asia also features prominently. In Taiwan, 13.5% of people (about 3.3 million) are vegetarian. Israel boasts a similar rate of 13%, equating to more than one million vegetarians. Both nations have vibrant vegetarian and vegan communities, supported by accessible plant‑based cuisines and government or religious encouragement. Taiwan’s Buddhist traditions and Israel’s growing start‑up scene for meat alternatives help explain their high rankings.

The remainder of the top ten is dominated by countries in the Western Hemisphere and Europe, each with vegetarian populations in the low double digits. Australia ranks sixth with 12.1% of its residents, about 2.5 million people, following vegetarian diets. Close behind are Argentina and Sweden, both at 12%. In Argentina’s case, this represents 5.4 million people, a notable statistic given the country’s famed beef culture.

Northern Europe is represented by Finland, where 12% of the population (660,000 people ) is vegetarian. Austria rounds out the top ten with 11% vegetarian, about 993,000 people, and 2% vegan.

World Population Review points out that there are many reasons people become vegetarians. Some choose meat‑free diets for health and dietary reasons, while others do so out of ethical or environmental concerns.

In some regions, vegetarianism is more a matter of necessity or tradition. Regardless of motivation, the data show that plant‑based eating is not limited to one part of the world; countries such as Vietnam , Germany, the United Kingdom and Canada also have significant vegetarian populations, even if they do not crack the top ten.