The line graph illustrates the percentage of UK adolescents who followed a vegetarian regimen between 1960 and 2020.
Overall, the proportion of teenagers adopting a vegetarian lifestyle rose significantly over the period, despite notable fluctuations. The figure peaked around 1980, declined sharply during the following two decades, and then recovered gradually towards the end of the timeframe.
In 1960, only about 1% of UK adolescents were vegetarians. This percentage increased rapidly over the next two decades, reaching a high point of approximately 15 to 16% in 1980. However, after this peak, the trend reversed. During the 1980s and 1990s, the proportion fell considerably, dropping to around 6-7% by 1990 and reaching a low of roughly 4-5% in the mid-to-late 1990s.
From around 2000 onwards, the percentage began to rise again. This upward trend continued gradually, with figures climbing to about 10% in 2010 and stabilising at around 11-12% by 2020.
In summary, although vegetarianism among UK adolescents experienced periods of decline, the long-term trend shows an overall increase.
