Germany's vegetarian and vegan numbers double since the pandemic began
The number of vegetarians and vegans in Germany has surged since the start of the pandemic. New figures show that ten percent of the population now avoids meat, while two percent excludes all animal products. This marks a sharp increase from early 2020, when only five percent were vegetarian and one percent vegan. Before the pandemic, vegetarianism and veganism were far less common. In early 2020, just five percent of Germans ate no meat, and only one percent followed a fully plant-based diet. Since then, both groups have doubled in size.
Animal rights organisation PETA links this shift to the coronavirus crisis. They argue that the pandemic has made people more aware of how animal farming spreads disease. Three out of four new infectious diseases originate in animals before jumping to humans, a category known as zoonoses. Livestock farms, markets, and slaughterhouses are also hotspots for dangerous germs.
The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned that rising meat consumption increases the risk of future pandemics. In response, PETA is pushing for higher taxes on meat, dairy, and eggs. They believe this would push more Germans to cut back on animal products.
Overall, around ten million people in Germany now avoid meat or all animal-derived foods. The rise in plant-based diets reflects growing concerns about health and disease transmission. With more Germans choosing vegetarian or vegan lifestyles, the trend shows no signs of slowing. Experts continue to highlight the connection between animal farming and global health risks.
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