Goat Population by Country 2024

Goats are incredibly versatile animals, inhabiting every continent except Antarctica, with a staggering 93.4% residing in Asia and Africa. Their presence is crucial in both less populated and industrialized countries, serving various roles from livelihood sustenance to agricultural production.

In Asia, which is home to 57.7% of the world's goat population, these animals were first domesticated around 10,000 years ago. Meanwhile, Africa raises approximately 35.7% of the global goat population, with a significant 60% concentration in the sub-Saharan region, including countries like Chad and Ethiopia.

The pygmy goat, prevalent in West and Central Africa, stands out as the most common and valuable breed. Known for its fertility and resistance to diseases and infections, the pygmy goat is a critical resource for the region. In contrast, Spanish explorers introduced goats to North America in the 17th century, laying the groundwork for a diverse goat farming industry in the United States. Today, the U.S. farms over two million goats for meat, milk, and mohair, with significant meat goat populations in Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Kentucky, and milk-producing goats predominantly in Texas, California, Wisconsin, Iowa, and New York.

Australia presents a unique case with its 2.3 million feral goats, descendants of cashmere and angora breeds, primarily utilized for cashmere production. These feral goats tend to inhabit rugged terrains as a defense against predators. Despite being the world’s leading goat meat exporter, Australia contributes a relatively small amount to the global market.

Globally, wild goats are adapted to diverse habitats, including forests, shrublands, and rocky regions. In West Asia, they span areas from Turkey and the Caucasus in the west to Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in the east. The Eurasian, North African, and Pakistani regions are home to wild ibex goats.

In North America, mountain goats are primarily found in Alaska's Chugach mountains, with introduced populations in several U.S. states and parts of Canada, including British Columbia, Alberta, and Yukon. This geographical spread underscores the adaptability and importance of goats in various ecosystems and human economies across the world.