Camels in China
China had 634,000 camels in 2024, the 11th largest in the world (1.43% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 132%. This is the highest figure on record.
- Animals, 2024
- 634,000 head
- World rank
- 11 of 46
- 10-year change
- +132%
- Record
- 634,000 head
- 2024
Camels in China, 1961–2024 (head)
China compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 1.4%
- 0.85% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +132%
- world +38%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Mali | 1,370,266 | 3.1% |
| 10 | Pakistan | 1,163,000 | 2.6% |
| 11 | China | 634,000 | 1.4% |
| 12 | United Arab Emirates | 604,855 | 1.4% |
| 13 | Mongolia | 480,567 | 1.1% |
Map of camels 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 | 634,000 | +9.4% |
| 2023 | 579,700 | +7.1% |
| 2022 | 541,400 | +17% |
| 2021 | 461,700 | +12% |
| 2020 | 411,200 | +1.4% |
| 2019 | 405,326 | +20% |
| 2018 | 338,378 | +4.7% |
| 2017 | 323,270 | +7.6% |
| 2016 | 300,500 | +7.3% |
| 2015 | 280,100 | +2.3% |
| 2014 | 273,800 | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 273,800 | +12% |
| 2012 | 244,800 | +0.8% |
| 2011 | 242,800 | +5.5% |
| 2010 | 230,200 | +1.9% |
| 2009 | 225,900 | −6.7% |
| 2008 | 242,000 | −10% |
| 2007 | 269,000 | +1.3% |
| 2006 | 265,600 | +1.4% |
| 2005 | 262,000 | −1.1% |
| 2004 | 265,000 | +0.4% |
| 2003 | 264,000 | −5.4% |
| 2002 | 279,000 | −14% |
| 2001 | 326,000 | −1.2% |
| 2000 | 330,000 | −1.5% |
| 1999 | 335,000 | −4.3% |
| 1998 | 350,000 | +0.3% |
| 1997 | 349,000 | −0.6% |
| 1996 | 351,000 | −1.4% |
| 1995 | 356,000 | −4.6% |
| 1994 | 373,000 | −7.0% |
| 1993 | 401,000 | −9.1% |
| 1992 | 441,000 | −4.8% |
| 1991 | 463,000 | −2.5% |
| 1990 | 475,000 | +0.6% |
| 1989 | 472,000 | −0.6% |
| 1988 | 475,000 | −5.8% |
| 1987 | 504,000 | −4.9% |
| 1986 | 530,000 | −0.2% |
| 1985 | 531,000 | −5.9% |
| 1984 | 564,000 | −7.5% |
| 1983 | 610,000 | −2.9% |
| 1982 | 628,000 | +2.3% |
| 1981 | 614,000 | +1.7% |
| 1980 | 604,000 | +5.2% |
| 1979 | 574,000 | +1.8% |
| 1978 | 564,000 | +3.5% |
| 1977 | 545,000 | +1.9% |
| 1976 | 535,000 | +6.2% |
| 1975 | 504,000 | +0.8% |
| 1974 | 500,000 | −2.9% |
| 1973 | 515,000 | +2.0% |
| 1972 | 505,000 | +3.7% |
| 1971 | 487,000 | +1.5% |
| 1970 | 480,000 | +2.1% |
| 1969 | 470,000 | +2.2% |
| 1968 | 460,000 | +2.2% |
| 1967 | 450,000 | +0.4% |
| 1966 | 448,000 | +5.4% |
| 1965 | 425,000 | +5.7% |
| 1964 | 402,000 | +4.1% |
| 1963 | 386,000 | +2.1% |
| 1962 | 378,000 | −0.8% |
| 1961 | 381,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many camels are there in China?
China had 634,000 camels in 2024, 1.4% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does China rank in the world by number of camels?
China ranked 11th of 46 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in Chad with 25.7% of the world total.
How has the number of camels in China changed?
It rose by 132% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +38% for the world. 2024 was the highest figure on record.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 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.