Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

At the moment, only every hundredth Russian aged 18 and over do not eat meat as a matter of principle.

MOSCOW, August 2, 2018. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a survey devoted to vegetarianism.

Half of respondents (50%) consider that vegetarianism is a diet without meat and fish; a further 45% say that this is strictly vegetable food.

Among those who are aware of vegetarianism, 1% of respondents try to use this diet. Thirty-nine percent of respondents say that vegetarianism is dangerous to health. This opinion is shared by young people aged 18-24 (50%). However, every fifth (20%) considers this lifestyle healthy. A further 27% say vegetarianism has no effect on their body.

Those who think that vegetarianism is healthy often say that vegan lifestyle helps to cleanse the body (34%). Older people (60 and over) state that vegan diet contains plenty of vitamins (40%). Fewer respondents consider that this diet is light (15%), contains no cholesterol (14%) and harmful ingredients (12%).

Those who think that vegetarianism is unhealthy mainly point out that meat has the vitamins and nutrients vegans often lack (33%). The percentage of those who share this viewpoint is higher among the 18-24-year-olds (41%). Another reason why vegetarian diet can be dangerous is a need for proteins (28%). A further 13% respondents point to the importance of balanced diet (13%). Eleven percent of respondents are confident that going without meat and dairy products is not good.

The VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on July 31, 2018, and involved 1,000 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

Have you heard or do you hear for the first time about vegetarianism? If you have heard of it, can you describe it in two or three words?  (open-ended question, up to 3 answers; answers of at least 1% of respondents, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Without meat (fish)  

50

Without animal source foods (including dairy products) / only vegetable food / fruit and vegetables

45

Negative attitude / it is insane / unhealthy

3

Without proteins

3

Healthy food

2

Diet/Dietary restrictions

2

Raw food diet

1

More vegetables/Vegetable foods

1

Against the killing of animals

1

I heard this word but do not know what it means

1

I hear this word for the first time

1

Other

1

Don’t know

2

Are you a vegetarian or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who know what vegetarianism means)

 

% of those who know what vegetarianism means

Aged  18-24

Aged  25-34

Aged  35-44

Aged  45-59

Aged  60 and more

I am vegetarian

1

1

2

2

2

1

I am not vegetarian

98

99

98

98

98

98

Don’t know

1

0

0

0

0

1

Do you think that vegetarianism is healthy, unhealthy or it does not have any impact on our health? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who know what vegetarianism means)

 

% of those who know what vegetarianism means

Aged  18-24

Aged  25-34

Aged  35-44

Aged  45-59

Aged  60 and more

It is likely to be healthy

20

22

18

21

21

19

It is likely to be unhealthy

39

50

42

36

38

38

It does not have any impact on health

27

24

30

31

24

27

Don’t know

14

4

10

12

17

16

Why do you think that vegetarianism is healthy?  (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of those who consider that vegetarianism is healthy)

 

% of those who consider vegetarianism healthy

Aged  18-24

Aged  25-34

Aged  35-44

Aged  45-59

Aged  60 and more

More vitamins / healthier food / body cleanse

34

36

26

36

30

40

Light food / easier to digest

15

17

15

12

18

14

No cholesterol, no fats

14

4

23

9

20

7

No toxic ingredients / natural food

12

18

6

13

10

14

Fewer calories / no obesity

6

10

4

4

7

8

Slow ageing / longer living

4

6

5

4

5

0

Meat is harmful / stopping eating meat

4

4

11

4

2

3

Fewer diseases

3

2

2

1

5

3

Better health / they look better

3

0

4

4

4

3

Based on friends’ experience

1

6

0

1

1

0

Personal experience

1

0

4

0

0

1

Studies suggest / doctors recommend

1

0

0

1

2

3

Other

4

11

0

1

5

5

Don’t know

19

17

21

27

19

13

  

Why do you think that vegetarianism is unhealthy? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of those who consider that vegetarianism is unhealthy)

 

% of those who consider that vegetarianism is unhealthy

Aged  18-24

Aged  25-34

Aged  35-44

Aged  45-59

Aged  60 and more

Meat contains plenty of vitamins, useful substances lacking in plant foods  

33

41

38

29

35

27

Protein is important for human body / animal protein is  indispensable

28

38

29

33

23

26

Diet should be balanced / Diet should contain everything

13

4

8

9

17

18

Going without meat and dairy foods is  impossible

11

16

13

11

8

8

Humans are predators /it is unnatural not to eat meat

8

3

8

11

7

9

People get ill more frequently  

6

2

7

7

5

7

Anemia / fall in hemoglobin level / iron deficiency

4

18

3

2

3

1

Energy value / loss of energy without meat

4

1

2

6

6

3

Animal fats are essential  

2

0

2

2

3

2

Scientists/doctors proved

1

0

1

0

2

1

For our climate meat is important

1

0

1

3

1

1

Other

4

0

3

6

0

8

Don’t know

4

4

4

0

4

5

 

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.

Read the article in Russian