In 2023, a survey revealed that approximately 48 percent of consumers aged 18 to 19 in the EU-27 reported making an effort to eat healthily. In contrast, older respondents demonstrated a greater tendency to prioritize healthy eating, with the percentage of those actively trying to maintain a healthy diet increasing with age.
Diets in the EU
According to a recent survey, flexitarian and low- or no-carb diets were the most popular in the EU in 2024. Around 12 percent of surveyed consumers stated that they followed a flexitarian diet, which can be defined as eating mostly plant-based foods while occasionally allowing meat, fish, or other animal-based products. Just three percent of respondents stated that they adhered to a strictly vegan diet.
Attitudes toward food and artificial flavor avoidance in the EU
60 percent of participants from the EU indicated that they actively work on eating healthily, while six percent fewer respondents expressed that they find it challenging to afford nutritious food. That same year, around 25 percent of EU-27 consumers aged 18 to 19 reported that they steer clear of artificial flavors and preservatives. This figure nearly doubles among respondents aged 60 to 64.
Share of consumers that actively try to eat healthy in the European Union (EU-27) in 2023, by age group
The results are based on four survey waves, which have been aggregated. The average is shown. Out of the 27 EU countries, 18 are included in the coverage.
Supplementary notes
The original survey question was phrased as follows: "Which of these statements about food do you agree with? (multi-pick)". Shown is the share of respondents who answered: "I actively try to eat healthy"
Covers the following EU-27 countries: Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania
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Statista. (January 26, 2024). Share of consumers that actively try to eat healthy in the European Union (EU-27) in 2023, by age group [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1447799/consumers-that-try-to-eat-healthy-by-age-eu-27/
Statista. "Share of consumers that actively try to eat healthy in the European Union (EU-27) in 2023, by age group." Chart. January 26, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1447799/consumers-that-try-to-eat-healthy-by-age-eu-27/
Statista. (2024). Share of consumers that actively try to eat healthy in the European Union (EU-27) in 2023, by age group. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1447799/consumers-that-try-to-eat-healthy-by-age-eu-27/
Statista. "Share of Consumers That Actively Try to Eat Healthy in The European Union (Eu-27) in 2023, by Age Group." Statista, Statista Inc., 26 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1447799/consumers-that-try-to-eat-healthy-by-age-eu-27/
Statista, Share of consumers that actively try to eat healthy in the European Union (EU-27) in 2023, by age group Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1447799/consumers-that-try-to-eat-healthy-by-age-eu-27/ (last visited December 22, 2024)
Share of consumers that actively try to eat healthy in the European Union (EU-27) in 2023, by age group [Graph], Statista, January 26, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1447799/consumers-that-try-to-eat-healthy-by-age-eu-27/
