Veggie Blog

The old version of this post said that most vegetarians in the world are Hindu, and that 25 percent of Hindus are vegetarian. Both claims need a closer look, because a large 2021 survey gives more precise numbers.

How many Hindus are vegetarian?

The Pew Research Center surveyed nearly 30,000 adults in India in 2019 and 2020 and found that 44 percent of Hindus described themselves as vegetarian, not 25 percent. Across all Indians, 39 percent said they were vegetarian, and 81 percent followed some restriction on meat. The survey left the definition of vegetarian to the person answering.

Are Hindus the most vegetarian group?

Not in percentage terms. Among Jains, 92 percent said they were vegetarian, compared with 8 percent of Muslims and 10 percent of Christians. Hindus fall in between. Because India is such a large country, the number of people who follow a vegetarian diet is still very large.

Why do many Hindus avoid meat?

Pew notes that Hindu texts often praise vegetarianism, and that Hindus may avoid beef because cows are traditionally viewed as sacred. The old post gave a simpler reason, living without hurting other beings, which Pew’s survey does not measure. Another 39 percent of Hindus follow some other restriction on meat, and many fast on certain days.

What can others learn from this?

There is no single Hindu diet, and the old line that Hindus are the most peaceful nation on earth because they are vegetarian was an exaggeration that I have removed. What is useful is how rich the plant-based traditions are, from lentil dals to vegetable curries. For a start in your own kitchen, see the main types of vegetarian diet and our guide to high-protein vegetarian meals.