every number has a source
Facts and sources
The figures behind our work on animal welfare, each linked to where it came from, with notes on what it does and does not cover.
How we choose figures
We publish a number only when we can point to its source. We draw on research organizations such as Faunalytics, on United Nations agencies, and on government and scientific bodies, and we say when a figure covers only one country or a limited group. Figures are reviewed regularly.
Last reviewed .
Farmed land animals
87.9 billion
Faunalytics's analysis of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) data puts the 2024 total at about 87.9 billion, up roughly 1.85% from 2023.
Counts animals slaughtered for meat. It does not include animals who die on farms, or fish.
Faunalytics, Global Animal Slaughter Statistics and Charts (based on FAO data) 2024 data
863 million
Animal Justice analyzed Canadian government slaughter statistics and reported a record 863 million land animals in 2024, up from about 750 million in 2015.
Analysis of government statistics by a Canadian animal law organization.
Animal Justice, 2024 Canadian Slaughter Statistics 2024 data
No dedicated law
Animal Justice reports that Canada has no legislation dedicated to protecting animals on farms, and that standard farming practices are exempt from general animal cruelty laws.
A statement about federal and general cruelty law by a Canadian animal law organization.
Aquatic animals
78 to 171 billion
Faunalytics summarizes research estimating that 78 to 171 billion farmed fishes are slaughtered each year, more than all farmed birds and mammals slaughtered annually.
A wide range, because fishes are usually counted by weight and not by individual.
Faunalytics Library, How Many Fishes Are Slaughtered Annually? Estimate
51%
In 2022, aquaculture produced 51% of the world's aquatic animals, surpassing capture fisheries for the first time, according to the FAO.
Share of aquatic animal production by weight.
FAO, The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024 2022 data
Wildlife
73%
WWF's Living Planet Report 2024 found that monitored vertebrate populations fell by an average of 73% between 1970 and 2020. In North America the average decline was 39%. Habitat loss and degradation, driven mainly by the food system, is the most commonly reported threat.
An average change in the size of monitored populations, not a count of animals lost.
WWF, Living Planet Report 2024 (with the Zoological Society of London) 1970 to 2020
Animals in science
3.7 million
The Canadian Council on Animal Care reported 3,706,907 animals in 2024. Fish made up 46.2%, mice 32.4%, and cattle 10.0%.
Covers CCAC-certified institutions only, so the true total is likely higher.
Canadian Council on Animal Care, CCAC Animal Data Report 2024 2024 data
What people think
68%
In the 2019 Faunalytics Animal Tracker, 68% strongly or somewhat supported the animal protection movement's goal to minimize and eventually eliminate all forms of animal cruelty and suffering. Only 16% opposed it.
Survey of adults in the United States.
Faunalytics, Animal Tracker 2019 2019 survey
54%
The same survey found 54% say farmed animals deserve the same consideration as pets, and 53% say people have an obligation to avoid harming all animals.
Survey of adults in the United States.
Faunalytics, Animal Tracker 2019 2019 survey
Climate, land, and food
12%
The FAO's 2023 assessment attributes about 12% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions to livestock. Cattle account for the largest share of livestock emissions.
An earlier FAO estimate (2013) was 14.5%. Estimates differ with the method used.
FAO report on livestock emissions, 2023, as reported by AFP 2023
80%
Counting grazing land and the cropland used for animal feed, livestock account for about 80% of agricultural land, yet meat, dairy, and farmed fish provide just 17% of calories and 38% of protein.
Global figures. Local situations differ.
Our World in Data, Global land for agriculture (FAO data; Poore and Nemecek, 2018) Recent estimate
38%
Poore and Nemecek estimate that 50% of cropland grows food for people directly, 38% grows livestock feed, and 12% is used for non-food purposes.
Global estimate.
Our World in Data, Global land for agriculture (Poore and Nemecek, 2018) 2018 study
Public health
73%
A modeling study led by Thomas Van Boeckel estimated that roughly 73% of all antimicrobial use worldwide in 2017 was in food-producing animals. The World Organisation for Animal Health reports that overuse of medically important antimicrobials in these animals is considered one of the forces contributing to antimicrobial resistance.
A modeled estimate, because few countries report their use.
CIDRAP, reporting on the PLOS Global Public Health study and the WOAH annual report 2017 estimate
81,000+ tonnes
WOAH reported between 81,084 and 88,927 tonnes of antimicrobial agents intended for use in animals in 2021, a 2% rise since 2019. Nearly 20% of reporting countries still used them as growth promoters.
Based on data from 152 of WOAH's 182 member countries.
WOAH annual report on antimicrobial agents intended for use in animals, via CIDRAP 2021 data
Workers
40%
In a study of U.S. poultry processing plants summarized by Faunalytics, 40% of workers reported moderate to severe work-related pain in the past year, and 44% of those workers did not report it to a supervisor or company health provider. The authors say the real level of harm may be higher.
Study of poultry plants in the United States.
Faunalytics, Most Chicken Slaughterhouse Workers At High Risk For Injury Recent study
Using these figures
You are welcome to share and cite our pages. Please link to the original source for each figure, as we do. If you spot an error or have a better source, email info@humanechoice.org and we will review it.
Statistics change as new data is published. The year of each figure is shown beside it.