Camels in Mauritania
Mauritania had 1.6 million camels in 2024, the 8th largest in the world (3.51% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 2.2%. The record was 1.6 million head in 2005.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 1.6 million head
- World rank
- 8 of 46
- 10-year change
- +2.2%
- Record
- 1.6 million head
- 2005
Camels in Mauritania, 1961–2024 (head)
Mauritania compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 3.5%
- 4.7% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +2.2%
- world +38%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 10 | Pakistan | 1,163,000 | 2.6% |
Map of camels numbers by country
Share of the world total; Mauritania is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,557,920 | +0.6% |
| 2023 | 1,548,157 | +0.6% |
| 2022 | 1,538,393 | +0.5% |
| 2021 | 1,530,864 | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 1,517,299 | +0.8% |
| 2019 | 1,504,624 | +0.9% |
| 2018 | 1,491,210 | +0.9% |
| 2017 | 1,477,684 | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 1,471,000 | +3.7% |
| 2015 | 1,418,000 | −7.0% |
| 2014 | 1,525,000 | +9.8% |
| 2013 | 1,389,000 | +0.7% |
| 2012 | 1,379,417 | +0.7% |
| 2011 | 1,369,828 | +0.7% |
| 2010 | 1,360,306 | +0.7% |
| 2009 | 1,350,850 | +0.7% |
| 2008 | 1,341,460 | −10% |
| 2007 | 1,494,000 | 0.0% |
| 2006 | 1,494,000 | −6.8% |
| 2005 | 1,603,000 | +3.0% |
| 2004 | 1,556,000 | +3.0% |
| 2003 | 1,511,000 | +3.0% |
| 2002 | 1,467,000 | +4.0% |
| 2001 | 1,411,000 | +4.1% |
| 2000 | 1,356,000 | +4.0% |
| 1999 | 1,304,000 | +10% |
| 1998 | 1,185,000 | +2.0% |
| 1997 | 1,162,000 | +4.4% |
| 1996 | 1,113,000 | 0.0% |
| 1995 | 1,113,000 | +1.0% |
| 1994 | 1,102,000 | +1.0% |
| 1993 | 1,091,000 | +1.0% |
| 1992 | 1,080,000 | +9.1% |
| 1991 | 990,000 | +4.2% |
| 1990 | 950,000 | +4.4% |
| 1989 | 910,000 | +4.6% |
| 1988 | 870,000 | +3.6% |
| 1987 | 840,000 | +2.4% |
| 1986 | 820,000 | +3.8% |
| 1985 | 790,000 | +1.3% |
| 1984 | 780,000 | +1.3% |
| 1983 | 770,000 | +2.7% |
| 1982 | 750,000 | +1.5% |
| 1981 | 739,100 | +0.7% |
| 1980 | 734,100 | +0.7% |
| 1979 | 729,000 | +0.1% |
| 1978 | 728,000 | +2.0% |
| 1977 | 714,000 | +1.0% |
| 1976 | 707,000 | +1.0% |
| 1975 | 700,000 | +4.5% |
| 1974 | 670,000 | −4.3% |
| 1973 | 700,000 | −0.7% |
| 1972 | 705,000 | −0.7% |
| 1971 | 710,000 | −2.5% |
| 1970 | 728,000 | +4.0% |
| 1969 | 700,000 | 0.0% |
| 1968 | 700,000 | +6.1% |
| 1967 | 660,000 | +1.5% |
| 1966 | 650,000 | +3.2% |
| 1965 | 630,000 | +3.3% |
| 1964 | 610,000 | +3.4% |
| 1963 | 590,000 | +3.5% |
| 1962 | 570,000 | +3.6% |
| 1961 | 550,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many camels are there in Mauritania?
Mauritania had 1.6 million camels in 2024, 3.5% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Mauritania rank in the world by number of camels?
Mauritania ranked 8th 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 Mauritania changed?
It rose by 2.2% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +38% for the world. The record was 1.6 million head in 2005.
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 Mauritania 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.