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The Vegan Lifestyle Is Gaining Popularity In Indonesia, Experts Reveal The Reasons
Tuesday, 25 Feb 2025
In recent decades, the vegan lifestyle has experienced significant growth, evolving beyond merely a dietary choice to become a movement with substantial implications for health and the environment. As public awareness of the importance of healthy living increases, the number of vegans and vegetarians in Indonesia has been rising rapidly. Dr. Susianto, MKM, President of the World Vegan Organization (WVO), noted that the surge in plant-based dining establishments in Indonesia serves as a key indicator of this lifestyle's expansion.
"In 1998, there were only about 50 vegetarian restaurants in Indonesia. However, by 2017, that number had risen to 2,000, and it now exceeds 3,000," Susianto stated at the Vegan Festival 2025 held at the Grand City Exhibition Hall in Surabaya on Friday, February 21. "If the number of vegetarians were not increasing, we would see a decline in these establishments, leading to closures. Instead, we are witnessing continuous growth," he added. The increase in the number of dining options is paralleled by a positive trend in the growth of vegan and vegetarian communities in Indonesia.
"In 2018, our organization had approximately 5,000 members, which grew to 60,000, and now stands at 200,000," said the nutrition expert and author of "The Miracle Of Vegan." He emphasized that this trend indicates a growing number of individuals adopting plant-based diets. A small survey he conducted revealed that around 3 million Indonesians have transitioned to vegan or vegetarian lifestyles.
Globally, this trend is also on the rise. Currently, about 10% of the world's population has embraced vegan or vegetarian diets. With a global population exceeding 7 billion, this translates to approximately 700 million individuals choosing plant-based eating. Furthermore, Susianto elaborated that certain regions in Indonesia play a significant role in the advancement of veganism.
