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.
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.
Cattle population in India from 2016 to 2023, with an estimate for 2024
(in millions)
Characteristic
Cattle population in millions
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Exclusive Premium Statistic
To access all Premium Statistics, you need a paid Statista Account
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. (April 11, 2024). Cattle population in India from 2016 to 2023, with an estimate for 2024 (in millions) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1181408/india-cattle-population/
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. "Cattle population in India from 2016 to 2023, with an estimate for 2024 (in millions)." Chart. April 11, 2024. Statista. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1181408/india-cattle-population/
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. (2024). Cattle population in India from 2016 to 2023, with an estimate for 2024 (in millions). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1181408/india-cattle-population/
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. "Cattle Population in India from 2016 to 2023, with An Estimate for 2024 (in Millions)." Statista, Statista Inc., 11 Apr 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1181408/india-cattle-population/
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Cattle population in India from 2016 to 2023, with an estimate for 2024 (in millions) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1181408/india-cattle-population/ (last visited July 22, 2024)
Cattle population in India from 2016 to 2023, with an estimate for 2024 (in millions) [Graph], USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, April 11, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1181408/india-cattle-population/