Camels in India
India had 175,530 camels in 2024, the 22nd largest in the world (0.40% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 54%. The record was 1.1 million head in 1971.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 175,530 head
- World rank
- 22 of 46
- 10-year change
- −54%
- Record
- 1.1 million head
- 1971
Camels in India, 1961–2024 (head)
India compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.40%
- 1.2% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −54%
- world +38%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Egypt | 247,667 | 0.56% |
| 21 | Tunisia | 239,078 | 0.54% |
| 22 | India | 175,530 | 0.40% |
| 23 | Afghanistan | 165,071 | 0.37% |
| 24 | Iran | 156,555 | 0.35% |
Map of camels numbers by country
Share of the world total; India is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 175,530 | −7.1% |
| 2023 | 188,890 | −6.8% |
| 2022 | 202,740 | −7.7% |
| 2021 | 219,568 | −2.0% |
| 2020 | 224,033 | −11% |
| 2019 | 251,956 | −10% |
| 2018 | 280,333 | −9.2% |
| 2017 | 308,768 | −8.4% |
| 2016 | 337,244 | −6.8% |
| 2015 | 361,909 | −4.8% |
| 2014 | 380,000 | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 380,000 | −5.1% |
| 2012 | 400,274 | −8.8% |
| 2011 | 439,000 | −3.9% |
| 2010 | 457,000 | −4.0% |
| 2009 | 476,000 | −4.0% |
| 2008 | 496,000 | −4.1% |
| 2007 | 517,000 | −5.1% |
| 2006 | 545,000 | −4.7% |
| 2005 | 572,000 | −4.8% |
| 2004 | 601,000 | −4.9% |
| 2003 | 632,000 | −6.0% |
| 2002 | 672,000 | −5.9% |
| 2001 | 714,000 | −5.9% |
| 2000 | 759,000 | −5.9% |
| 1999 | 807,000 | −5.9% |
| 1998 | 858,000 | −5.9% |
| 1997 | 912,000 | −11% |
| 1996 | 1,030,000 | 0.0% |
| 1995 | 1,030,000 | 0.0% |
| 1994 | 1,030,000 | 0.0% |
| 1993 | 1,030,000 | −0.1% |
| 1992 | 1,031,000 | +0.7% |
| 1991 | 1,024,000 | +0.6% |
| 1990 | 1,018,000 | +0.6% |
| 1989 | 1,012,000 | +0.6% |
| 1988 | 1,006,000 | +0.5% |
| 1987 | 1,001,000 | −1.3% |
| 1986 | 1,014,000 | −1.5% |
| 1985 | 1,029,000 | −1.5% |
| 1984 | 1,045,000 | −1.6% |
| 1983 | 1,062,000 | −1.5% |
| 1982 | 1,078,000 | +2.7% |
| 1981 | 1,050,000 | 0.0% |
| 1980 | 1,050,000 | 0.0% |
| 1979 | 1,050,000 | −0.9% |
| 1978 | 1,060,000 | −0.7% |
| 1977 | 1,068,000 | −0.7% |
| 1976 | 1,075,000 | −0.5% |
| 1975 | 1,080,000 | −0.9% |
| 1974 | 1,090,000 | −0.9% |
| 1973 | 1,100,000 | −0.8% |
| 1972 | 1,109,000 | −1.0% |
| 1971 | 1,120,000 | +0.9% |
| 1970 | 1,110,000 | +0.9% |
| 1969 | 1,100,000 | +1.9% |
| 1968 | 1,080,000 | +2.9% |
| 1967 | 1,050,000 | +2.1% |
| 1966 | 1,028,172 | +2.5% |
| 1965 | 1,003,000 | +2.6% |
| 1964 | 978,000 | +2.6% |
| 1963 | 953,000 | +2.7% |
| 1962 | 928,000 | +2.8% |
| 1961 | 902,881 | — |
Questions and answers
How many camels are there in India?
India had 175,530 camels in 2024, 0.40% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does India rank in the world by number of camels?
India ranked 22nd 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 India changed?
It fell by 54% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +38% for the world. The record was 1.1 million head in 1971.
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 India 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.