Reveal Marketing Research study: Only 4 out of 10 Romanians from urban areas who usually fast are motivated by faith in God
Reveal Market Resources, Study No. 152
The most recent study conducted by Reveal Marketing Research aimed to identify how much, how, and why Romanians post, aiming to track differences in their behaviors and attitudes compared to a similar study conducted around the Easter holidays in 2022.
- 47% of Romanians in urban areas fast, with the majority fasting only on Wednesdays and Fridays (21%).
- The most important motivations for Romanians to fast are represented by the habit and education received in the family (64%), health and dietary concerns (42%), and belief in God (39%).
- 27% of Romanians believe that meat-free diets are healthier, while 59% believe they are more expensive compared to meat-based diets.
Fasting is practiced for reasons associated with family tradition (64%), health concerns (42%) or belief in God (39%).
According to the results of the survey conducted by Reveal Marketing Research, 47% of Romanians in urban areas say they usually fast in anticipation of Easter, a percentage similar to the one recorded in 2022 (50%). Of these, 21% typically fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, while only 11% hold the whole fast, and 15% follow the fast in its last week.
The most important motivations for which Romanians fast are often related to habit and education received in the family (64%). Other notable reasons include health and diet concerns, mentioned by 42% of respondents, and belief in God (39%). Depending on the age categories, different trends can be observed, so that young people between 25-34 years old are used to fast more due to tradition and education received in the family (71%), while people over 55 pay special attention to health/diet (51%), and those between 45 -55 years of faith (46%).
Regarding the top of the main aliments consumed during fasting periods, we find the cooked food (77%), the raw salads and the fruits (69%) and the olives (64%). Cooked food is consumed more by mature people over the age of 55 (94%), while raw salads and fruits are more popular among women (73% vs. 65% men).
Compared to 2022 data, there is a significant increase in popularity and interest in oil products – almonds, pistachios, walnuts, etc. (47% vs. 34% in 2022) or dried fruits – goji berries, figs, plums, etc. (46% vs. 36% in 2022) in the periods when Romanians fast. This trend is more prevalent among people aged 45 to 55 (53% – oleaginous products, 56% – dried fruits) and high-income fruits, over 8,000 RON (55% – oilseed products, 51% – dried fruits).
In 2024 the least consumed fasting foods remain tofu (20%) and quinoa (11%). In the case of plant milk, which continues to rank among the currently less consumed foods (27%), a slightly increase in the incidence of consumption compared to 2022 data is observed (23%).
27% of Romanians say that meat-free diets are healthier, and 59% that they are more expensive, compared to meat-based diets.
Measuring perceptions of meat-free diets, 27% of Romanians think they are healthier, while most (44%) do not have a clearly defined opinion in this regard. Taking into account the age categories, the data show that Romanians aged 35-44 believe to a greater extent that meat-free diets are healthier than meat-based diets (45%).
In 2024, 9 out of 10 Romanians believe that meat products price have increased in the last year, compared to 7 out of 10 who believed this in 2022. These data reflect a significant change in the economic situation of the population in a relatively short period of time.
In addition, the majority of Romanians (59%) consider that meat-free diets are more expensive than meat-based ones, especially those aged between 45-55 (64%), an age group that is more likely to fast for health reasons (48% vs. 42% total sample).
In addition, the majority of Romanians (59%) consider that meat-free diets are more expensive than meat-based diets, especially those aged 45-55 (64%), according to the report, this age category is more likely to fast for health reasons (48% vs. 42% total sample).
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About Reveal Marketing Research
Reveal Marketing Research is a full-service market research company specializing in marketing research, sociological studies, customer insight, business strategy, market development. With expertise in over 20 industries, Reveal Marketing Research believes that market research is the basis for good decisions and brand positioning. The qualitative and quantitative solutions have been helping companies in Romania and other European countries for 15 years.
Reveal Market Resources, study no. 152: Reveal Market Resources is a data hub of free studies offered to audiences, with the aim of supporting the marketing and communication market in Romania.
Methodology: The Reveal Marketing Research study was conducted online during March 22nd -27th, 2024, on a representative sample of individuals aged 18 and above, internet users, from urban areas. The sample size was 1003 respondents, with a maximum sampling error of +/-3.1% at a 95% confidence level.