Meat consumption varies significantly around the world. Some countries eat very little meat, while others consume high amounts on a regular basis. When looking at meat consumption patterns globally, some interesting trends emerge regarding which nations have the lowest levels of meat intake.
Meat Consumption by Country
According to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the countries that consume the lowest amounts of meat per capita are generally developing nations in regions like South Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.
Here is an overview of the countries with the lowest annual meat consumption per capita:
- Bangladesh – 4 kg
- India – 4 kg
- Malawi – 5 kg
- Nepal – 5 kg
- Rwanda – 5 kg
- Haiti – 6 kg
- Guinea – 8 kg
- Guyana – 8 kg
- Mozambique – 8 kg
- Togo – 9 kg
These nations consume less than 10 kg of meat per person. For comparison, the average American eats over 100 kg of meat annually.
Factors Driving Low Meat Consumption
There are several key reasons why many developing countries eat little meat:
- Poverty – Meat is more expensive than staple crops, so the poorest nations consume very small amounts.
- Religious influences – Many Hindus and Buddhists follow vegetarian or vegan diets due to principles of non-violence and compassion.
- Agricultural limitations – Domestic livestock production is not well-developed in some tropical regions.
- Culture/cuisine – Traditional dishes and cooking styles in some ethnic groups do not focus on meat-based meals.
With low GDP per capita and a reliance on subsistence farming, many citizens in developing countries simply cannot afford to eat much meat. Their diets consist predominantly of grains, legumes, vegetables and fruit. Meat is viewed as a luxury product.
India: A Closer Look
India provides an illustrative case study for a nation with very low meat consumption. With a population of over 1.3 billion, India has the lowest annual meat intake per capita of any country for which data is available.
Cultural and religious beliefs play a central role. Roughly 80% of Indians practice Hinduism, a religion that encourages vegetarianism and reverence for cows. While not all Hindus are vegetarian, abstaining from meat is common.
Data on Indian dietary patterns shows:
- Per capita meat consumption: 4 kg annually
- Share of vegetarians: 20-40% of the population
- Chicken and goat meat are the most commonly consumed meats
- Cultural taboos restrict beef and pork intake
Meat-eating is more common among Indian Muslims, Christians, and some indigenous groups. However, the vast majority of Indians eat meat rarely, if ever.
Meat Consumption in India by Region
Meat consumption rates do vary within India based on region, ethnic group, and income level:
| Region | Annual Meat Consumption Per Capita |
|---|---|
| Kerala | 14 kg |
| Punjab | 13 kg |
| Tamil Nadu | 10 kg |
| Uttar Pradesh | 2 kg |
The takeaway is that cultural beliefs fundamentally shape India’s low meat intake. However, pockets of the population are developing a taste for meat, particularly chicken and mutton.
Global Trends in Meat Consumption
On a global scale, meat consumption patterns reflect a country’s economic development and culinary traditions.
Here are some key trends:
- High-income nations have the highest annual per capita meat intake, led by Australia, the U.S., Argentina, and Israel.
- Developing countries are seeing rapid rises in meat eating as incomes increase. China’s meat consumption has quadrupled since the 1980s.
- Health and environmental concerns may contribute to lower meat demand in wealthier Western nations in the future.
- India, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia consistently rank among the lowest meat consumers worldwide.
While meat eating is increasing globally, stark divides remain between rich meat-loving nations and poor plant-based populations. This looks set to continue in the decades ahead.
Conclusion
Looking at the data, the countries that eat the least meat are developing nations in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Low GDP, large vegetarian populations, and limited livestock production contribute to very low annual meat consumption under 10kg per person.
India provides a prime example, with cultural traditions of Hinduism and poverty leading to sparse meat intake. Average annual meat consumption there is just 4kg. Compare that to over 100kg in rich Western countries.
Meat eating is rising rapidly across the developing world. But the countries eating the least today are likely to retain their pole position due to continued poverty. Going strictly by the numbers, India and Bangladesh seem destined to rank among the lowest meat consumers for the foreseeable future.