How many cattle are in the world? The global live cattle population amounted to about 1.57 billion heads in 2023, up from approximately 1.51 million in 2021. Cows as livestock The domestication of cattle began as early as 10,000 to 5,000 years ago. From ancient times up to the present, cattle are bred to provide meat and dairy. Cattle are also employed as draft animals to plow the fields or transport heavy objects. Cattle hide is used for the production of leather, and dung for fuel and agricultural fertilizer. In 2022, India was home to the highest number of milk cows in the world. Cattle farming in the United States Cattle meat such as beef and veal is one of the most widely consumed types of meat across the globe, and is particularly popular in the United States. The United States is the top producer of beef and veal of any country worldwide. In 2021, beef production in the United States reached 12.6 million metric tons. Beef production appears to be following a positive trend in the United States. More than 33.07 million cattle were slaughtered both commercially and in farms annually in the United States in 2019, up from 33 million in the previous year.

The cattle population in Russia has continuously declined since 2003, when it was measured at nearly 25.1 million heads. In 2023, the number of cattle livestock in the country reached around 17.1 million heads.

India's cattle inventory amounted to about 308 million in 2023. In comparison, the global cattle population stood at over one billion, India had the highest cattle population followed by Brazil, China and the United States that year.

Where are cattle bred in India?

As one of the leading dairy producers and consumers worldwide, cattle in the south Asian country were bred mainly in the rural areas. However, its population was spread unevenly across the vast land. Uttar Pradesh ranked first in terms of milk production, followed by Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh in 2023.

Contextualizing the holiness of the Indian cow Considered a sacred animal by Hindus in India, the cow is associated with several gods and goddesses. This deep religious and cultural significance has led to communal tensions. In 2014, the government established the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) to conserve and develop indigenous breeds of cows and buffaloes. While the general goal was well-received, it aligns with the underlying Hindu nationalist narrative of the current government.

In 2024, the cattle population in Germany was 10.63 million. This was a slight decrease compared to 2023. Going further back and comparing to 1900, the cattle population then was 18.9 million. The timeline shows cattle population numbers in Germany from 1990 to 2023.

Number of cattle, by class and farm type, Canada and provinces (head x 1,000). Data are available on an annual basis.

In 2024, there were around 3.7 million dairy cows in Germany. This represents a small decline since 2022. However, in 1950 there were 5.73 million dairy cows. The timeline shows the dairy cow population in Germany from 1950 to 2023.

Demographic composition and dynamics of animal and human populations are important determinants for the transmission dynamics of infectious disease and for the effect of infectious disease or environmental disasters on productivity. In many circumstances, demographic data are not available or of poor quality. Since 1999 Switzerland has been recording cattle movements, births, deaths and slaughter in an animal movement database (AMD). The data present in the AMD offers the opportunity for analysing and understanding the dynamic of the Swiss cattle population. A dynamic population model can serve as a building block for future disease transmission models and help policy makers in developing strategies regarding animal health, animal welfare, livestock management and productivity. The Swiss cattle population was therefore modelled using a system of ordinary differential equations. The model was stratified by production type (dairy or beef), age and gender (male and female calves: 0–1 year, heifers and young bulls: 1–2 years, cows and bulls: older than 2 years). The simulation of the Swiss cattle population reflects the observed pattern accurately. Parameters were optimized on the basis of the goodness-of-fit (using the Powell algorithm). The fitted rates were compared with calculated rates from the AMD and differed only marginally. This gives confidence in the fitted rates of parameters that are not directly deductible from the AMD (e.g. the proportion of calves that are moved from the dairy system to fattening plants).

This dataset as reported to the Rural Payments Agency contains cattle population and number of farms on 1 June 2006. Attribution statement:

The table shows the cattle population by county and region every six months [thousands]

This dataset as reported to the Rural Payments Agency contains a list of animal population by breed on 1 January this includes applications received for cattle born in or imported into Great Britain Attribution statement:

This dataset as reported to the Rural Payments Agency contains information on cattle population by breed, sex and country on 1 January 2011. This includes cattle born in or imported into Great Britain. Attribution statement:

This graph shows the total number of bovine population in France from 1995 to 2023, by type of cattle, in thousand heads. This shows that total herd exceeded 20 million cattle in 1995, including about 4.7 million suckler cows. In 2023, the number of French cattle cows had decreased to about 17.04 million heads.

Netherlands - Number of dairy cows was 1527.00 Thousand in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Netherlands - Number of dairy cows - last updated from the EUROSTAT on June of 2025. Historically, Netherlands - Number of dairy cows reached a record high of 1794.00 Thousand in December of 2016 and a record low of 1504.00 Thousand in December of 2011.

Cattle Feed Market Outlook

The global cattle feed market size was valued at approximately USD 78 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 120 billion by 2032, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% during the forecast period. This robust growth can be attributed to several market dynamics, including the increasing demand for high-quality animal protein, the intensification of the livestock sector, and the rising awareness regarding animal health and nutrition. As the global population continues to grow, the demand for dairy and meat products is also increasing, which in turn drives the demand for cattle feed. Furthermore, advancements in cattle feed formulations and the adoption of sustainable feed practices are also contributing to the expansion of the market.

One of the major growth factors in the cattle feed market is the rising consumer awareness regarding the nutritional benefits of animal-derived products. As people become more health-conscious, there is a growing preference for protein-rich diets that include meat and dairy products. This increased demand for animal protein necessitates the need for enhanced livestock productivity, which is directly linked to the quality and quantity of cattle feed. Consequently, farmers and livestock producers are increasingly investing in high-quality feeds that ensure optimal growth and health of the cattle. This trend is further supported by governmental initiatives aimed at boosting livestock production to meet the nutritional needs of the population.

Technological advancements in feed production and formulation are another significant driver of growth in the cattle feed market. Innovations such as precision feeding, which involves tailoring the feed to meet the specific nutritional requirements of individual animals, have been gaining traction. This not only improves the efficiency of feed utilization but also minimizes waste and environmental impact. Additionally, the development of feed additives that enhance digestion and nutrient absorption has led to better feed conversion rates, thereby increasing overall productivity. Companies are investing in research and development to introduce new and improved feed products, which cater to the diverse needs of cattle across various climates and geographies.

The focus on sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of livestock farming is also propelling the growth of the cattle feed market. There is a growing emphasis on producing feed that reduces methane emissions and improves the overall sustainability of the cattle farming industry. This is particularly important in regions where environmental regulations are becoming increasingly stringent. The adoption of organic and non-GMO feed ingredients is becoming more prevalent, as consumers demand transparency and sustainability in the supply chain. These factors are encouraging feed manufacturers to innovate and develop products that align with these sustainability goals, thus driving market growth.

Regionally, the Asia Pacific is emerging as a dominant player in the cattle feed market, driven by its large population and increasing demand for meat and dairy products. Countries like China and India are experiencing rapid growth in their livestock industries, supported by government programs aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity. North America and Europe remain significant markets due to their established livestock sectors and high levels of animal protein consumption. Meanwhile, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are witnessing steady growth, with increasing investments in modernizing their agricultural practices and improving animal husbandry techniques.

Product Type Analysis

The cattle feed market is segmented by product type into compound feed, fodder, forage, and others. Compound feed holds a substantial share of the market due to its balanced nutritional profile, which meets the diverse dietary needs of cattle. It is often formulated with a precise blend of essential nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, which are crucial for optimal cattle growth and health. The demand for compound feed is particularly strong in regions with intensive farming practices, as it supports rapid weight gain and enhances milk production in dairy cattle. The growing consumer awareness about the benefits of compound feed in improving livestock productivity is further bolstering its market demand.

Fodder, which includes crops like alfalfa, clover, and grass, is another significant segment in the cattle feed market. Its popularity is driven by its cost-effe

🇨🇭 스위스

Greece - Number of dairy cows was 79.50 Thousand in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Greece - Number of dairy cows - last updated from the EUROSTAT on June of 2025. Historically, Greece - Number of dairy cows reached a record high of 144.00 Thousand in December of 2010 and a record low of 79.50 Thousand in December of 2024.

159.5 (Thousand heads) in 2017. Livestock population include all age groups population of livestock of corresponding type. Object - large, medium and small farms. Period - as on the 1st of February.

This dataset collection contains information about the number of dairy cows by herd size in the country of Finland. The data is sourced from the website of Luke, the Natural Resources Institute Finland. It provides insights into the distribution of dairy cows across different herd sizes. The collection consists of one or more dataset tables, offering detailed statistics on the dairy cow population in Finland. Explore this dataset collection to gain a comprehensive understanding of the dairy cow industry in Finland.

Analysis of ‘Population by age groups in cows on 31.12. ’ provided by Analyst-2 (analyst-2.ai), based on source dataset retrieved from http://data.europa.eu/88u/dataset/https-region-statistik-nord-de-detail_timeline-13-1102-5-1-345-412- on 14 January 2022.

--- Dataset description provided by original source is as follows ---

Population — Population (Official Population Update) — Population by age groups in Kuden on 31.12.

on the HTML offer of the time series

regional data for Schleswig-Holstein

Statistical Office for Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein

--- Original source retains full ownership of the source dataset ---

🇩🇪 독일