Development has conventionally led to higher consumption of meat. Coupled with greater affordability and population growth, meat consumption has increased in both absolute and per capita terms, with serious environmental implications due to the environmental degradation associated with meat farming. The charts below explore the relationship between GDP per capita and meat consumption in kilograms per capita from 1961 to 2013, using data from Our World in Data.

The animated chart below shows countries’ meat consumption and GDP per capita from 1961 to 2013. Generally, countries have followed an upward trend, with increases in meat consumption coinciding with increases in GDP per capita.



Below, the global heat maps show the change in meat consumption per capita and the per cent change in GDP per capita, from 1993 to 2013. The relationship seems stronger for some countries, including China, South Africa, Angola, Egypt and, to some extent, Brazil.

Note, data were not available for countries in white.



Use the drop down selectors below to compare meat consumption and GDP per capita by country.