The presented graph illustrates the number of UK teenagers following a meat-free diet between 1980 to 2020.
Overall, over the forty-year period there were noticeable fluctuations in the proportion of people adopting a vegetarian diet. However, a clear upward trend can be observed as well, with a dramatic increase in the last decade.
In detail, between 1980 and 1985 the number of teenagers who were vegetarian rose gradually, reaching 25,000 followers in the mid 80’s. After that increase, the proportion experienced some minor fluctuations, remaining nearly stable until 1995.
Around the year 2000 the number of teenaged vegetarians almost reached 40,000 individuals, followed by a decline in 2005. Afterwards, the proportion fluctuated for the next decade until 2015. The trend changed dramatically after 2015, reaching the peak in 2020 (nearly 100,000 individuals).
Summing everything up, although the popularity of vegetarianism among UK teenagers experienced ups and downs for 30 years, it increased significantly in the final decade.