The source phrased the survey as follows: "Ik beschouw mezelf als vegetariër" and "Ik eet op een of enkele dagen van de week bewust geen vlees of vis" (English: "I consider myself a vegetarian" and "I consciously don't eat meat or fish".
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Share of vegetarians and flexitarians in the Netherlands 2017-2023
Conscious meat consumption is a topic regularly debated in the Netherlands. The vegetarian community in the country is small but growing: whereas in 2017 six percent of survey respondents stated to consider themselves vegetarian, by 2023 that figure had reached nine percent. Among flexitarians however, that is part-time vegetarians who consciously avoid meat at least one day a week, the trend witnessed more fluctuations over the years. As of 2023, ** percent of survey respondents considered themselves flexitarians, an percent loss compared to the previous year and only *** percent more than in 2017.
The young vegetarian 
Not eating meat is particularly popular among the younger generations in the Netherlands. A 2024 survey found that the largest share of vegetarians is to be found among 18-to-29 year-olds. Flexitarians on the other hand were mostly distributed among 18-to-19 year-olds and 30-to-39 year-olds.
Reasons to go vegetarian
Vegetarians have different motives to stop eating meat. According to a 2024 survey, the main reasons to go vegetarian included concerns about animal welfare, environmental protection, and personal health. Interestingly, the price of animal products also factored in, as indicated by close to ** percent of respondents.
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Motivaction. (July 27, 2023). Share of vegetarians and flexitarians in the Netherlands from 2017 to 2023 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 29, 2026, from /statistics/896275/share-of-vegetarians-and-flexitarians-in-the-netherlands/
Motivaction. "Share of vegetarians and flexitarians in the Netherlands from 2017 to 2023." Chart. July 27, 2023. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 29, 2026. /statistics/896275/share-of-vegetarians-and-flexitarians-in-the-netherlands/
Motivaction. (2023). Share of vegetarians and flexitarians in the Netherlands from 2017 to 2023. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 29, 2026. /statistics/896275/share-of-vegetarians-and-flexitarians-in-the-netherlands/
Motivaction. "Share of Vegetarians and Flexitarians in The Netherlands from 2017 to 2023." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 27 Jul 2023, /statistics/896275/share-of-vegetarians-and-flexitarians-in-the-netherlands/
Motivaction, Share of vegetarians and flexitarians in the Netherlands from 2017 to 2023 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/896275/share-of-vegetarians-and-flexitarians-in-the-netherlands/ (last visited July 29, 2026)
Share of vegetarians and flexitarians in the Netherlands from 2017 to 2023 [Graph], Motivaction, July 27, 2023. [Online]. Available: /statistics/896275/share-of-vegetarians-and-flexitarians-in-the-netherlands/
