Camels in Ethiopia
Ethiopia had 1.7 million camels in 2024, the 7th largest in the world (3.74% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 42%. The record was 1.8 million head in 2018.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 1.7 million head
- World rank
- 7 of 46
- 10-year change
- +42%
- Record
- 1.8 million head
- 2018
Camels in Ethiopia, 1993–2024 (head)
Ethiopia compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 3.7%
- 3.6% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +42%
- world +38%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Saudi Arabia | 2,436,191 | 5.5% |
| 6 | Niger | 1,957,356 | 4.4% |
| 7 | Ethiopia | 1,656,499 | 3.7% |
| 8 | Mauritania | 1,557,920 | 3.5% |
| 9 | Mali | 1,370,266 | 3.1% |
Map of camels numbers by country
Share of the world total; Ethiopia is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,656,499 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | 1,603,124 | −0.7% |
| 2022 | 1,614,196 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | 1,566,449 | +2.3% |
| 2020 | 1,530,939 | +3.0% |
| 2019 | 1,486,961 | −16% |
| 2018 | 1,760,870 | +24% |
| 2017 | 1,418,457 | +17% |
| 2016 | 1,209,321 | −1.5% |
| 2015 | 1,228,023 | +5.5% |
| 2014 | 1,164,100 | +6.0% |
| 2013 | 1,098,312 | +20% |
| 2012 | 915,518 | −6.5% |
| 2011 | 979,318 | −11% |
| 2010 | 1,102,119 | +36% |
| 2009 | 807,581 | −20% |
| 2008 | 1,009,040 | +64% |
| 2007 | 615,197 | +41% |
| 2006 | 436,622 | −4.8% |
| 2005 | 458,576 | +3.1% |
| 2004 | 445,000 | +2.3% |
| 2003 | 435,000 | +3.6% |
| 2002 | 420,000 | +2.4% |
| 2001 | 410,000 | +2.5% |
| 2000 | 400,000 | +2.6% |
| 1999 | 390,000 | +4.0% |
| 1998 | 375,000 | +2.7% |
| 1997 | 365,000 | +2.8% |
| 1996 | 355,000 | +2.9% |
| 1995 | 345,000 | +3.0% |
| 1994 | 335,000 | +4.7% |
| 1993 | 320,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many camels are there in Ethiopia?
Ethiopia had 1.7 million camels in 2024, 3.7% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Ethiopia rank in the world by number of camels?
Ethiopia ranked 7th 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 Ethiopia changed?
It rose by 42% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +38% for the world. The record was 1.8 million head in 2018.
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 Ethiopia 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.