@timofeyWorking equids born from crossing horses and donkeys have historically been the backbone of agriculture, transport, goods movement, and rural livelihoods because they possess strength, endurance, and the unique ability to function in demanding environments where motorized vehicles simply cannot go. When tractors or other machinery are out of reach, these animals remain a critical component of rural production systems, capable of hauling crops, water, firewood, and various other goods while simultaneously supporting market access and broader agricultural activities. The most recent data compiled by FAOSTAT for the year 2024 covers 65 countries that had available observations, recording a global total of approximately 7.52 million live mules and hinnies combined. Mexico sits firmly at the top of this list with an estimated population of 3.29 million head, a figure that accounts for roughly 43.8% of the calculated total derived from all available national observations. Brazil follows as the second-largest holder in the dataset with approximately 1.16 million mules and hinnies recorded for 2024. China takes the third spot with 410,000 animals, followed closely by Ethiopia in fourth place with 391,100. Peru ranks fifth with 311,500, Morocco sixth with 291,000, Pakistan seventh with 214,000, and Iran eighth with 185,400. Colombia holds the ninth position with 170,100, Haiti tenth with 150,000, and the Dominican Republic eleventh with 147,800. India is twelfth with 92,700, Bolivia thirteenth with 83,200, Tunisia fourteenth with 82,300, and Venezuela fifteenth with 72,000. Honduras rounds out the sixteenth spot with 70,200, Ecuador seventeenth with 54,100, Argentina eighteenth with 44,600, Guatemala nineteenth with 37,400, and Libya twentieth with 33,100. It is essential to understand that these statistics represent live stocks, the estimated number of living animals, rather than annual meat production figures or a count of how many animals were actually worked during the year. The global sum of 7.52 million is strictly the aggregate of the national observations that were available for inclusion in the report. FAOSTAT clarifies that livestock statistics can originate from official national statistics, surveys, administrative data, and estimates, meaning some of the observations presented here may be estimated, imputed, or provisional in nature. Calculations and presentation were handled by Terra Cultiva based on the underlying FAOSTAT 2024 data.

@timofeyWorking equids born from crossing horses and donkeys have historically been the backbone of agriculture, transport, goods movement, and rural livelihoods because they possess strength, endurance, and the unique ability to function in demanding environments where motorized vehicles simply cannot go. When tractors or other machinery are out of reach, these animals remain a critical component of rural production systems, capable of hauling crops, water, firewood, and various other goods while simultaneously supporting market access and broader agricultural activities. The most recent data compiled by FAOSTAT for the year 2024 covers 65 countries that had available observations, recording a global total of approximately 7.52 million live mules and hinnies combined. Mexico sits firmly at the top of this list with an estimated population of 3.29 million head, a figure that accounts for roughly 43.8% of the calculated total derived from all available national observations. Brazil follows as the second-largest holder in the dataset with approximately 1.16 million mules and hinnies recorded for 2024. China takes the third spot with 410,000 animals, followed closely by Ethiopia in fourth place with 391,100. Peru ranks fifth with 311,500, Morocco sixth with 291,000, Pakistan seventh with 214,000, and Iran eighth with 185,400. Colombia holds the ninth position with 170,100, Haiti tenth with 150,000, and the Dominican Republic eleventh with 147,800. India is twelfth with 92,700, Bolivia thirteenth with 83,200, Tunisia fourteenth with 82,300, and Venezuela fifteenth with 72,000. Honduras rounds out the sixteenth spot with 70,200, Ecuador seventeenth with 54,100, Argentina eighteenth with 44,600, Guatemala nineteenth with 37,400, and Libya twentieth with 33,100. It is essential to understand that these statistics represent live stocks, the estimated number of living animals, rather than annual meat production figures or a count of how many animals were actually worked during the year. The global sum of 7.52 million is strictly the aggregate of the national observations that were available for inclusion in the report. FAOSTAT clarifies that livestock statistics can originate from official national statistics, surveys, administrative data, and estimates, meaning some of the observations presented here may be estimated, imputed, or provisional in nature. Calculations and presentation were handled by Terra Cultiva based on the underlying FAOSTAT 2024 data.