In 2022 there were ~1.22 billion land animals that died or were killed (and not slaughtered for human food consumption).[1,2]
In 2023 there were ~1.16 billion land animals that died or were killed (and not slaughtered for human food consumption).[1,2]
These are the animals that are not included in the often-quoted “numbers of animals slaughtered for food.” They died of disease, starvation, thirst, wounds, exhaustion, lameness, cannibalism, heat, and freezing cold. They died in floods and fires and in massive “culls.” They died on manure-filled floors, in transport trucks, in macerators, and in piles of dying animals. Some made the exhausting trip to the slaughterhouse, but their tumors were too big, or their legs were too weak. Many died slowly and suffered intensely.
For analyses and references for Death Before Slaughter, see pages for Poultry Death Before Slaughter and Livestock Death Before Slaughter
Deaths for any reason (other than slaughter) divided by estimates of total animals born equals the total death rate. Total figures are often rounded. These are all estimates based on available information. In many cases these are undercounts due to incomplete data on listed species or lack of data on unlisted species.
In 2022, there were ~11.2 billion farmed animals in the U.S. that were slaughtered for human food consumption or were killed or died before slaughter.[1-3]
For analyses and references for Death Before Slaughter, see pages for Poultry Death Before Slaughter and Livestock Death Before Slaughter. For totals of animals slaughtered, see page Animals Slaughtered for Food.
Total figures are often rounded and are all estimates based on available information. In many cases they are undercounts due to incomplete data on listed species or lack of data on unlisted species.
This does not purport to be a complete listing of all animals slaughtered for food. For additional info on unlisted species and reasons for expected undercounts see footnotes at Animals Slaughtered for Food.
In 2023, there were ~11.1 billion farmed animals that were slaughtered or were killed or died before slaughter.[1,2]
For analyses and references for Death Before Slaughter, see pages for Poultry Death Before Slaughter and Livestock Death Before Slaughter. For totals of animals slaughtered, see page Animals Slaughtered for Food.
Total figures are often rounded and are all estimates based on available information. In many cases they are undercounts due to incomplete data on listed species or lack of data on unlisted species.