According to Europe 2014 data, 4.2 million people in Italy are vegetarians (7.1% of the population). This figure has increased by 15% compared with 2013, when those excluding meat were 3.7 million. According to estimates from AIV (the Association of Italian Vegetarians), the proportion is closer to 10%, and includes 700,000 vegans. Beyond the numbers, what matters is that an increasing proportion of Italians choose not to eat meat (and in some cases even fish, dairy products and eggs)