The number of people who choose a vegetarian lifestyle is expected to grow to around seven percent of Australia’s population in 10 years’ time, according to forecasts from IBIS World.

In the approach to Australia Day, the business information firm has drawn on analysis of more than 500 industries to paint a picture of what it believes Australia will look like in 2025.

It predicts Australia’s population, currently hovering at around 22.8 million, will grow by 1.6pc per annum to reach 27.8m in 2025, with immigration, rising birth rates and longer life expectancies driving the growth.

The report also considers likely changes in Australian lifestyles, work habits, energy use and diets.

One clear trend looking ahead according to the report is a growing preference for ethically and sustainably produced meats, eggs and dairy (free range meats, poultry, eggs), while organic and local produce will also continue to rise in popularity and penetration.

“While we have traditionally considered ourselves a country of meat-lovers, consumption of vegetarian meals is certainly a growing trend in Australia,” IBIS World chief executive Karen Dobie said.

Currently, IBISWorld estimates around five per cent of Australians consider themselves vegetarian, with just one per cent of those proclaiming veganism.

By 2025 the firm expects vegetarians to comprise closer to seven per cent of the population.

The report also suggests that the average Australia will work around 30 hours per week in 2024, down from 32 hours this year, due to more people transitioning to part-time work and more companies offering flexible working hours as a result of technology improvements.

The average Australian worker is also expected to take home $1756 per week in 2025, up from $1086 on average now due to inflation, up-skilling and industry movements.

Australians are also expected to have more leisure hours per week – 78.5 hours, up from 76.4 in 2000 – which will be spent online, eating out, playing sport, hitting the gym and watching television and movies.

The Carbon Tax, introduced in 2012, is tipped to drive electricity generators to switch to less carbon-heavy sources of energy.

Less than 10pc of Australia’s total electricity usage is currently supplied from renewable sources, with hydro-electricity accounting for 67.2pc of total green energy currently produced; wind energy now at  22pc of generation, and solar energy considered to hold ‘huge potential’ according to IBIS World.