Asses in Nigeria
Nigeria had 1.3 million asses in 2024, the 10th largest in the world (2.49% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 5.9%. The record was 1.4 million head in 1961.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 1.3 million head
- World rank
- 10 of 104
- 10-year change
- +5.9%
- Record
- 1.4 million head
- 1961
Asses in Nigeria, 1961–2024 (head)
Nigeria compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 2.5%
- 2.7% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +5.9%
- world +13%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Iran | 1,568,474 | 2.9% |
| 9 | Afghanistan | 1,530,569 | 2.8% |
| 10 | Nigeria | 1,344,853 | 2.5% |
| 11 | China | 1,299,000 | 2.4% |
| 12 | Mali | 1,263,440 | 2.3% |
Map of asses numbers by country
Share of the world total; Nigeria is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,344,853 | +0.2% |
| 2023 | 1,341,778 | +0.2% |
| 2022 | 1,338,703 | +0.2% |
| 2021 | 1,335,648 | −0.4% |
| 2020 | 1,340,798 | +0.6% |
| 2019 | 1,332,751 | +0.9% |
| 2018 | 1,321,441 | +1.0% |
| 2017 | 1,308,540 | +1.1% |
| 2016 | 1,294,377 | +1.2% |
| 2015 | 1,279,505 | +0.7% |
| 2014 | 1,270,000 | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 1,265,000 | +1.2% |
| 2012 | 1,250,000 | +2.5% |
| 2011 | 1,220,000 | +1.7% |
| 2010 | 1,200,000 | +13% |
| 2009 | 1,065,000 | 0.0% |
| 2008 | 1,065,000 | +0.5% |
| 2007 | 1,060,000 | −1.9% |
| 2006 | 1,080,000 | +2.9% |
| 2005 | 1,050,000 | 0.0% |
| 2004 | 1,050,000 | +5.0% |
| 2003 | 1,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 1,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 2001 | 1,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 2000 | 1,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1999 | 1,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1998 | 1,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1997 | 1,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1996 | 1,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1995 | 1,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1994 | 1,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1993 | 1,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1992 | 1,000,000 | +4.2% |
| 1991 | 960,000 | +2.6% |
| 1990 | 936,000 | +4.0% |
| 1989 | 900,000 | +4.7% |
| 1988 | 860,000 | +3.6% |
| 1987 | 830,000 | +3.8% |
| 1986 | 800,000 | +5.3% |
| 1985 | 760,000 | +4.1% |
| 1984 | 730,000 | +4.3% |
| 1983 | 700,000 | 0.0% |
| 1982 | 700,000 | 0.0% |
| 1981 | 700,000 | 0.0% |
| 1980 | 700,000 | 0.0% |
| 1979 | 700,000 | 0.0% |
| 1978 | 700,000 | 0.0% |
| 1977 | 700,000 | 0.0% |
| 1976 | 700,000 | −2.8% |
| 1975 | 720,000 | +1.4% |
| 1974 | 710,000 | −1.4% |
| 1973 | 720,000 | −5.3% |
| 1972 | 760,000 | −7.3% |
| 1971 | 820,000 | −2.4% |
| 1970 | 840,000 | −2.3% |
| 1969 | 860,000 | −2.3% |
| 1968 | 880,000 | −2.2% |
| 1967 | 900,000 | −8.6% |
| 1966 | 984,654 | −21% |
| 1965 | 1,240,000 | −4.3% |
| 1964 | 1,296,000 | −2.6% |
| 1963 | 1,330,000 | −2.5% |
| 1962 | 1,364,000 | −2.4% |
| 1961 | 1,398,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many asses are there in Nigeria?
Nigeria had 1.3 million asses in 2024, 2.5% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Nigeria rank in the world by number of asses?
Nigeria ranked 10th of 104 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in Ethiopia with 20.0% of the world total.
How has the number of asses in Nigeria changed?
It rose by 5.9% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +13% for the world. The record was 1.4 million head in 1961.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2024 figure for Nigeria is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.

