What’s left of a vegan January once January is over? Veganuary asked 2026 participants half a year later. Of those who weren’t vegan before, 35 percent still eat fully vegan. Overall, 82 percent have at least halved their consumption of animal products. The numbers are impressive, but they need to be read correctly.
In short
- Still vegan: 35% of respondents who weren’t vegan before
- Big reductions: 33% eat over 75% fewer animal products, 14% between 50 and 75% fewer
- Open to more: 92% of those who didn’t stay vegan say they’re likely to try again
- The survey: 1,730 responses from 343,459 newsletter users contacted, or 0.5%
- The context: not a representative study, more a snapshot of the most engaged
Contents6 chapters
What the survey shows.
Veganuary supports people who want to try vegan in January, including with a 31-day email series. Six months after the campaign month, the organisation asked recipients of that series to take part in a survey. It published the results ahead of World Vegan Day on 1 November in a report (in German).
Participants were asked how their consumption of animal products has changed since January. This question only went to people who weren’t vegan before Veganuary:
- 35% have cut out animal products completely
- 33% have reduced them by more than 75%
- 14% by 50 to 75%
- 10% by 25 to 50%
- 4% by less than 25%
- 4% have made no change
Even those who didn’t stay vegan haven’t turned their backs on it. 92% of this group say they are likely to try vegan again, and 91% would do Veganuary for 31 days again. According to respondents, the campaign helped most with cooking: 61% found more inspiration, and 50% discovered new foods and dishes.
How solid the numbers are.
The survey went to 343,459 people, and 1,730 responded. That is a response rate of 0.5%. Anyone who still opens and completes a Veganuary survey six months later very likely still feels connected to the topic. People who went back to their usual food in February are less likely to have answered. So the 35% applies to the respondents, not to everyone who took part in Veganuary.
The report also doesn’t say whether only participants from Germany or from all campaign countries were surveyed. All answers are self-reported. That doesn’t make the survey worthless. It shows that a large share of engaged participants make lasting changes. What it can’t answer is how many of the more than 30 million people who, according to Veganuary, ate plant-based in January 2026 have stuck with it.
Veganuary also asked about changes in health. Many who stayed vegan said they felt better overall. Because these are subjective assessments without medical measurement, we don’t report the figures in detail here.
Vegan doesn’t stay private.
One result shows how the idea spreads. 42% of those who stayed vegan say they have become more active in advocating for veganism. 44% believe they have inspired at least one other person to try vegan. “Many people try Veganuary for the animals or the climate and then realise that the change also does them good personally,” says Mirjam Schmitt, spokesperson for Veganuary Germany.
An animal ethics perspective.
For animals, what counts is how many animal products are actually bought, whatever label people give themselves. And here the survey is encouraging. Cutting consumption by three quarters means far fewer animals are kept, transported and slaughtered. A month of trying lowers the barrier, and many stick with it at least partly afterwards.
At the same time, the low response rate shows how important it is not to leave people alone after January. Without daily recipes and support in February, it’s easier to slip back into old habits. Recipes, good products in the supermarket and people who join in matter more for success than willpower.
What you can do.
- Don’t wait for January. The Veganuary email series is free all year round, for example starting on World Vegan Day on 1 November.
- Start with a good cookbook. A vegan cookbook for beginners helps through the first weeks when everything is new.
- Bring someone along. According to the survey, almost every second person who stayed vegan inspired another to try. It’s easier together.
- Mind your nutrients. Vitamin B12 is always part of a vegan diet, for example as B12 lozenges from nutri+.
Frequently asked questions.
How many people stay vegan after Veganuary?
According to Veganuary’s 2026 survey, 35% of respondents who weren’t vegan before are fully vegan six months later. The survey isn’t representative, though, as only 0.5% of those contacted responded.
How many people take part in Veganuary?
Based on YouGov surveys, Veganuary estimates that more than 30 million people worldwide tried a plant-based diet in January 2026.
Can you do Veganuary outside January?
Yes. According to Veganuary, the free 31-day email series can be started at any time of year.
Who is behind Veganuary?
A non-profit organisation founded in 2014 in Yorkshire, England, which now runs campaigns in several countries, including Germany.
Sources ●
Veganuary: The official survey, six months later (October 2026, in German), press release by Veganuary Germany of 27 October 2026. Photos: Julia M Cameron and Alesia Kozik / Pexels. This article contains affiliate links. If you buy something through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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