Buffalo in China
China had 30.1 million buffalo in 2024, the 3rd largest in the world (14.2% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 12%. The record was 31.5 million head in 2023.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 30.1 million head
- World rank
- 3 of 47
- 10-year change
- +12%
- Record
- 31.5 million head
- 2023
Buffalo in China, 1961–2024 (head)
China compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 14.2%
- 13.6% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +12%
- world +6.9%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 112,377,516 | 53.0% |
| 2 | Pakistan | 46,310,000 | 21.8% |
| 3 | China | 30,139,500 | 14.2% |
| 4 | Nepal | 3,307,031 | 1.6% |
| 5 | Philippines | 2,705,548 | 1.3% |
Map of buffalo numbers by country
Share of the world total; China is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 30,139,500 | −4.4% |
| 2023 | 31,525,530 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | 30,647,550 | +4.1% |
| 2021 | 29,451,750 | +2.7% |
| 2020 | 28,686,180 | +4.6% |
| 2019 | 27,414,810 | +1.1% |
| 2018 | 27,116,250 | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 26,503,470 | −2.4% |
| 2016 | 27,167,370 | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 27,021,840 | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 26,957,280 | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 26,957,280 | −1.7% |
| 2012 | 27,411,750 | −2.6% |
| 2011 | 28,152,000 | −4.4% |
| 2010 | 29,459,910 | −2.2% |
| 2009 | 30,107,580 | +29% |
| 2008 | 23,268,000 | +2.4% |
| 2007 | 22,717,000 | +1.0% |
| 2006 | 22,495,000 | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 22,361,000 | +0.4% |
| 2004 | 22,282,000 | −1.9% |
| 2003 | 22,724,000 | +0.2% |
| 2002 | 22,684,000 | −0.3% |
| 2001 | 22,758,000 | +0.8% |
| 2000 | 22,587,000 | −0.3% |
| 1999 | 22,665,000 | +0.5% |
| 1998 | 22,545,000 | +15% |
| 1997 | 19,636,000 | −16% |
| 1996 | 23,300,100 | +1.7% |
| 1995 | 22,913,100 | +2.3% |
| 1994 | 22,400,000 | +0.9% |
| 1993 | 22,200,000 | +0.9% |
| 1992 | 22,005,000 | +1.5% |
| 1991 | 21,690,000 | +1.4% |
| 1990 | 21,395,008 | +1.6% |
| 1989 | 21,067,008 | +1.2% |
| 1988 | 20,823,008 | 0.0% |
| 1987 | 20,823,008 | +4.5% |
| 1986 | 19,934,000 | +2.2% |
| 1985 | 19,506,000 | +1.9% |
| 1984 | 19,149,008 | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 19,144,000 | +2.0% |
| 1982 | 18,770,000 | +1.3% |
| 1981 | 18,520,000 | +0.8% |
| 1980 | 18,377,008 | +3.7% |
| 1979 | 17,723,008 | +2.9% |
| 1978 | 17,229,008 | −1.2% |
| 1977 | 17,444,000 | −3.1% |
| 1976 | 18,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1975 | 18,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1974 | 18,000,000 | +6.7% |
| 1973 | 16,866,000 | +2.2% |
| 1972 | 16,500,000 | +2.6% |
| 1971 | 16,083,000 | +3.8% |
| 1970 | 15,500,000 | 0.0% |
| 1969 | 15,500,000 | +3.3% |
| 1968 | 15,000,000 | +7.1% |
| 1967 | 14,000,000 | +4.6% |
| 1966 | 13,378,000 | +25% |
| 1965 | 10,738,000 | −0.0% |
| 1964 | 10,740,000 | +29% |
| 1963 | 8,357,000 | +1.4% |
| 1962 | 8,245,000 | +2.5% |
| 1961 | 8,043,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many buffalo are there in China?
China had 30.1 million buffalo in 2024, 14.2% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does China rank in the world by number of buffalo?
China ranked 3rd of 47 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in India with 53.0% of the world total.
How has the number of buffalo in China changed?
It rose by 12% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +6.9% for the world. The record was 31.5 million head in 2023.
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 China is estimated 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.