Camels in Mali
Mali had 1.4 million camels in 2024, the 9th largest in the world (3.09% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 40%. This is the highest figure on record.
- Animals, 2024
- 1.4 million head
- World rank
- 9 of 46
- 10-year change
- +40%
- Record
- 1.4 million head
- 2024
Camels in Mali, 1961–2024 (head)
Mali compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 3.1%
- 3.0% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +40%
- world +38%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Ethiopia | 1,656,499 | 3.7% |
| 8 | Mauritania | 1,557,920 | 3.5% |
| 9 | Mali | 1,370,266 | 3.1% |
| 10 | Pakistan | 1,163,000 | 2.6% |
| 11 | China | 634,000 | 1.4% |
Map of camels numbers by country
Share of the world total; Mali is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,370,266 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | 1,343,399 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | 1,317,057 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | 1,291,233 | +2.0% |
| 2020 | 1,265,915 | +2.0% |
| 2019 | 1,241,093 | +2.0% |
| 2018 | 1,216,758 | +2.0% |
| 2017 | 1,192,900 | +16% |
| 2016 | 1,028,609 | +3.0% |
| 2015 | 998,558 | +2.0% |
| 2014 | 978,979 | +2.0% |
| 2013 | 959,783 | +2.0% |
| 2012 | 940,964 | +2.0% |
| 2011 | 922,514 | +2.0% |
| 2010 | 904,425 | +4.0% |
| 2009 | 869,305 | +1.9% |
| 2008 | 852,880 | +12% |
| 2007 | 758,183 | +12% |
| 2006 | 674,000 | −20% |
| 2005 | 841,054 | +12% |
| 2004 | 747,670 | +12% |
| 2003 | 664,654 | +12% |
| 2002 | 590,856 | +33% |
| 2001 | 443,485 | +12% |
| 2000 | 396,529 | +11% |
| 1999 | 356,263 | +11% |
| 1998 | 321,645 | +10% |
| 1997 | 291,843 | +9.7% |
| 1996 | 266,153 | +9.1% |
| 1995 | 244,023 | +8.5% |
| 1994 | 224,981 | +7.8% |
| 1993 | 208,649 | +7.2% |
| 1992 | 194,717 | +6.4% |
| 1991 | 183,068 | −25% |
| 1990 | 245,000 | +22% |
| 1989 | 200,870 | −13% |
| 1988 | 231,138 | +2.5% |
| 1987 | 225,600 | −6.4% |
| 1986 | 241,000 | +4.8% |
| 1985 | 230,000 | +4.7% |
| 1984 | 219,600 | +1.2% |
| 1983 | 217,000 | −9.4% |
| 1982 | 239,400 | −0.2% |
| 1981 | 240,000 | +3.9% |
| 1980 | 231,000 | +5.5% |
| 1979 | 219,000 | −0.5% |
| 1978 | 220,000 | +10% |
| 1977 | 200,000 | +5.3% |
| 1976 | 190,000 | +5.6% |
| 1975 | 180,000 | +5.9% |
| 1974 | 170,000 | +6.3% |
| 1973 | 160,000 | −11% |
| 1972 | 180,000 | −16% |
| 1971 | 215,000 | −1.2% |
| 1970 | 217,700 | 0.0% |
| 1969 | 217,700 | −5.8% |
| 1968 | 231,000 | +3.1% |
| 1967 | 224,000 | +3.2% |
| 1966 | 217,000 | +4.0% |
| 1965 | 208,569 | +24% |
| 1964 | 168,000 | −0.1% |
| 1963 | 168,104 | +8.5% |
| 1962 | 155,000 | −2.5% |
| 1961 | 159,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many camels are there in Mali?
Mali had 1.4 million camels in 2024, 3.1% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Mali rank in the world by number of camels?
Mali ranked 9th 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 Mali changed?
It rose by 40% 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.