Camels in Iran
Iran had 156,555 camels in 2024, the 24th largest in the world (0.35% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 44%. The record was 286,000 head in 1962.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 156,555 head
- World rank
- 24 of 46
- 10-year change
- +44%
- Record
- 286,000 head
- 1962
Camels in Iran, 1961–2024 (head)
Iran compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.35%
- 0.34% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +44%
- world +38%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | India | 175,530 | 0.40% |
| 23 | Afghanistan | 165,071 | 0.37% |
| 24 | Iran | 156,555 | 0.35% |
| 25 | Turkmenistan | 142,993 | 0.32% |
| 26 | Iraq | 115,090 | 0.26% |
Map of camels numbers by country
Share of the world total; Iran is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 156,555 | −2.2% |
| 2023 | 160,000 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | 155,999 | +1.5% |
| 2021 | 153,667 | +1.2% |
| 2020 | 151,804 | +2.9% |
| 2019 | 147,489 | +2.1% |
| 2018 | 144,522 | +2.5% |
| 2017 | 141,052 | +8.0% |
| 2016 | 130,658 | +28% |
| 2015 | 102,404 | −5.7% |
| 2014 | 108,584 | −32% |
| 2013 | 160,000 | +1.3% |
| 2012 | 158,000 | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 157,000 | +1.3% |
| 2010 | 155,000 | +0.6% |
| 2009 | 154,000 | +1.3% |
| 2008 | 152,000 | 0.0% |
| 2007 | 152,000 | 0.0% |
| 2006 | 152,000 | +0.7% |
| 2005 | 151,000 | +0.7% |
| 2004 | 150,000 | +1.4% |
| 2003 | 148,000 | +0.7% |
| 2002 | 147,000 | +1.0% |
| 2001 | 145,600 | +0.9% |
| 2000 | 144,300 | +0.9% |
| 1999 | 143,000 | 0.0% |
| 1998 | 143,000 | 0.0% |
| 1997 | 143,000 | 0.0% |
| 1996 | 143,000 | 0.0% |
| 1995 | 143,000 | 0.0% |
| 1994 | 143,000 | 0.0% |
| 1993 | 143,000 | 0.0% |
| 1992 | 143,000 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 142,994 | 0.0% |
| 1990 | 142,994 | +10.0% |
| 1989 | 130,000 | −1.5% |
| 1988 | 132,000 | −1.5% |
| 1987 | 134,000 | −2.4% |
| 1986 | 137,307 | +5.6% |
| 1985 | 130,000 | +4.0% |
| 1984 | 125,000 | +4.2% |
| 1983 | 120,000 | +5.3% |
| 1982 | 114,000 | +1.8% |
| 1981 | 112,000 | +1.8% |
| 1980 | 110,000 | 0.0% |
| 1979 | 110,000 | −3.5% |
| 1978 | 114,000 | +1.8% |
| 1977 | 112,000 | +1.8% |
| 1976 | 110,000 | +2.8% |
| 1975 | 107,000 | +5.9% |
| 1974 | 101,000 | −12% |
| 1973 | 115,000 | +2.7% |
| 1972 | 112,000 | +1.4% |
| 1971 | 110,498 | −18% |
| 1970 | 135,000 | −16% |
| 1969 | 160,000 | −19% |
| 1968 | 198,000 | +1.5% |
| 1967 | 195,000 | +1.6% |
| 1966 | 192,000 | +1.1% |
| 1965 | 190,000 | 0.0% |
| 1964 | 190,000 | −14% |
| 1963 | 220,000 | −23% |
| 1962 | 286,000 | +1.1% |
| 1961 | 283,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many camels are there in Iran?
Iran had 156,555 camels in 2024, 0.35% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Iran rank in the world by number of camels?
Iran ranked 24th 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 Iran changed?
It rose by 44% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +38% for the world. The record was 286,000 head in 1962.
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 Iran 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.