The 2024 National Livestock Census is being conducted across Mongolia from December 7 to 17. Households, enterprises, and organizations involved in livestock and animal husbandry are encouraged to actively participate in this year-end census.

The total agricultural production of a given year is determined by the combined value of outputs generated through livestock rearing, animal husbandry, and the cultivation of crops, grains, and vegetables. Livestock-related censuses, including those focusing on herds, enclosures, and water wells, are vital sources of data for the livestock sector. Since 1961, the census of livestock and domesticated animals has been conducted in December, coinciding with the end of the agricultural production cycle. This shift from summer and autumn censuses (previously held in August and September) ensures more comprehensive reporting, as it aligns with the close of the production year, when livestock income and expenditure data are finalized.

The census not only tracks the growth or decline in the number of animals and domesticated species but also provides critical data for analyzing herd reproduction and productivity trends. Moreover, a broader agricultural census covering personnel, machinery, and infrastructure such as fences and water wells has been conducted every three years since 1996.

In Mongolia, livestock herding remains the primary livelihood for most rural households, which are the backbone of the nation’s animal husbandry industry. As of 2023, Mongolia’s total livestock population reached 64,681,876. This includes approximately 4.8 million horses, 5.3 million cattle, and 473,853 camels. Sheep constitute the largest portion of the livestock population at 29.4 million, followed by goats at 24.6 million.

This census plays a pivotal role in shaping agricultural policies and understanding the dynamics of Mongolia’s livestock sector, which remains a cornerstone of the nation’s economy and cultural heritage.