Camels in Kenya
Kenya had 4.8 million camels in 2024, the 4th largest in the world (10.8% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 72%. This is the highest figure on record.
- Animals, 2024
- 4.8 million head
- World rank
- 4 of 46
- 10-year change
- +72%
- Record
- 4.8 million head
- 2024
Camels in Kenya, 1961–2024 (head)
Kenya compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 10.8%
- 8.7% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +72%
- world +38%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Somalia | 7,593,176 | 17.1% |
| 3 | Sudan | 4,839,720 | 10.9% |
| 4 | Kenya | 4,779,483 | 10.8% |
| 5 | Saudi Arabia | 2,436,191 | 5.5% |
| 6 | Niger | 1,957,356 | 4.4% |
Map of camels numbers by country
Share of the world total; Kenya is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4,779,483 | +12% |
| 2023 | 4,284,497 | +24% |
| 2022 | 3,456,483 | −22% |
| 2021 | 4,427,881 | −5.2% |
| 2020 | 4,669,739 | −1.4% |
| 2019 | 4,735,351 | +45% |
| 2018 | 3,273,445 | −2.0% |
| 2017 | 3,338,757 | +3.6% |
| 2016 | 3,222,593 | +5.3% |
| 2015 | 3,059,840 | +9.9% |
| 2014 | 2,783,587 | −4.0% |
| 2013 | 2,899,244 | +1.2% |
| 2012 | 2,864,732 | −7.3% |
| 2011 | 3,091,200 | +2.0% |
| 2010 | 3,030,600 | +2.0% |
| 2009 | 2,971,111 | −16% |
| 2008 | 3,552,347 | +13% |
| 2007 | 3,156,492 | +198% |
| 2006 | 1,057,900 | +14% |
| 2005 | 931,308 | −22% |
| 2004 | 1,193,618 | +33% |
| 2003 | 895,094 | +5.7% |
| 2002 | 846,555 | +3.3% |
| 2001 | 819,123 | +14% |
| 2000 | 717,500 | −12% |
| 1999 | 811,500 | +1.5% |
| 1998 | 799,500 | +1.0% |
| 1997 | 791,600 | −0.5% |
| 1996 | 795,600 | +1.0% |
| 1995 | 787,700 | +3.3% |
| 1994 | 762,500 | +5.2% |
| 1993 | 724,700 | −3.4% |
| 1992 | 750,000 | −6.3% |
| 1991 | 800,000 | −5.9% |
| 1990 | 850,000 | +2.4% |
| 1989 | 830,000 | +3.8% |
| 1988 | 800,000 | +1.3% |
| 1987 | 790,000 | −2.5% |
| 1986 | 810,000 | +2.5% |
| 1985 | 790,000 | +2.0% |
| 1984 | 774,400 | +14% |
| 1983 | 680,000 | +11% |
| 1982 | 610,000 | +0.2% |
| 1981 | 608,500 | +0.1% |
| 1980 | 608,000 | +0.1% |
| 1979 | 607,500 | +0.1% |
| 1978 | 607,000 | +1.2% |
| 1977 | 600,000 | +3.4% |
| 1976 | 580,000 | +3.6% |
| 1975 | 560,000 | +1.8% |
| 1974 | 550,000 | +3.8% |
| 1973 | 530,000 | +1.9% |
| 1972 | 520,000 | +2.0% |
| 1971 | 510,000 | +3.0% |
| 1970 | 495,000 | −4.1% |
| 1969 | 516,000 | +7.5% |
| 1968 | 480,000 | +4.3% |
| 1967 | 460,000 | +4.5% |
| 1966 | 440,000 | +4.8% |
| 1965 | 420,000 | +5.0% |
| 1964 | 400,000 | +5.3% |
| 1963 | 380,000 | +5.6% |
| 1962 | 360,000 | +2.9% |
| 1961 | 350,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many camels are there in Kenya?
Kenya had 4.8 million camels in 2024, 10.8% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Kenya rank in the world by number of camels?
Kenya ranked 4th 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 Kenya changed?
It rose by 72% 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.