During a survey in April 2023, the factor that was picked most often when considering if it is morally acceptable to eat a certain species, was whether the species was rare or endangered. An animal's capacity for self-awareness was only picked by 32 percent of survey respondents as very important.
Leading factors when considering the morality of meat consumption in the U.S. in 2023*
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Share of respondents who answered "very important"
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Leading factors when considering the morality of meat consumption in the U.S. in 2023*
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Single survey answers may have received less than 1,000 responses. The graphic combines two original questions: "How important would you say the following is in your consideration of whether it is morally acceptable for people to eat a certain species of animal?" And: "How important would you say the following is in your consideration of whether it is morally acceptable for people to eat a certain animal?" (explicitly referring to farm animals)
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YouGov. (April 18, 2023). Leading factors when considering the morality of meat consumption in the U.S. in 2023* [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1449259/importance-of-factors-when-considering-meat-consumption-in-the-us/
YouGov. "Leading factors when considering the morality of meat consumption in the U.S. in 2023*." Chart. April 18, 2023. Statista. Accessed May 14, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1449259/importance-of-factors-when-considering-meat-consumption-in-the-us/
YouGov. (2023). Leading factors when considering the morality of meat consumption in the U.S. in 2023*. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 14, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1449259/importance-of-factors-when-considering-meat-consumption-in-the-us/
YouGov. "Leading Factors When Considering The Morality of Meat Consumption in The U.S. in 2023*." Statista, Statista Inc., 18 Apr 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1449259/importance-of-factors-when-considering-meat-consumption-in-the-us/
YouGov, Leading factors when considering the morality of meat consumption in the U.S. in 2023* Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1449259/importance-of-factors-when-considering-meat-consumption-in-the-us/ (last visited May 14, 2025)
Leading factors when considering the morality of meat consumption in the U.S. in 2023* [Graph], YouGov, April 18, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1449259/importance-of-factors-when-considering-meat-consumption-in-the-us/
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