World meat consumption patterns: An overview of the last fifty years (1961-2011)

Driven by economic development and urbanisation, animal-based protein ([ABP]{.caps}) consumption has surged worldwide over the last 50. years, rising from 61. g per person per day in 1961 to 80. g per person per day in 2011. This contribution analyses the apparent convergence of dietary models worldwide with respect to the proportion of [ABP]{.caps} and especially meat in intake. By using [FAO]{.caps} data for 183 countries over the period 1961-2011, the authors show the connection between annual per capita [GDP]{.caps} and the level of [ABP]{.caps} ([R2]{.caps}. =. 0.62) and meat consumption ([R2]{.caps}. =. 0.62). They emphasise the surge in [ABP]{.caps} intake in emerging countries (China, Brazil) which has partly replaced plant protein. However, for similar degrees of economic development, the composition of [ABP]{.caps}s and the position of meat within this category vary significantly among countries, suggesting that historical, geographical, cultural and religious factors may be involved.