Previous studies suggested that the vast majority of vegetarians stop being vegetarian but there has been quite a bit of debate about what these numbers mean when it comes to veganism. The Humane Research Council recently published a study of ~10,000 respondents that finds that ~70% of vegans stop being vegan. This compares with ~84% of vegetarians giving up vegetarianism.
Summary:
HRC Study of Current and Former Vegetarians and Vegans | HumaneSpot.org
Link to study (registration and delay):
http://spot.humaneresearch.org/syst...+Vegans+Dec+2014+(Tables+%26+Methodology).pdf
I think this study provides an incredibly strong argument for promoting "veganish"-ism as opposed to veganism. If so many are failing at strict "veganism" perhaps it's better for the animals and our planet to promote being "almost vegan" rather than being vegan with a capital "V".
Summary:
HRC Study of Current and Former Vegetarians and Vegans | HumaneSpot.org
Link to study (registration and delay):
http://spot.humaneresearch.org/syst...+Vegans+Dec+2014+(Tables+%26+Methodology).pdf
I think this study provides an incredibly strong argument for promoting "veganish"-ism as opposed to veganism. If so many are failing at strict "veganism" perhaps it's better for the animals and our planet to promote being "almost vegan" rather than being vegan with a capital "V".