Donkey population keeps growing in Pakistan, climbs to 5.9mln during FY2023-24

The economic survey of Pakistan, released on Tuesday, unveiled a notable surge in the donkey population, continuing its upward trend during the fiscal year 2023-24.

According to the survey, the country's donkey count has risen by another million, reaching a total of 5.9 million.

This increase in donkey population has been consistent over the past few years, with figures showing a steady rise from 5.5 million in 2019-2020 to 5.8 million in 2022-23.

In addition to donkeys, the survey highlighted significant growth in the populations of other livestock. Cattle numbers reached 57.5 million, buffalo 46.3 million, sheep 32.7 million, and goats 87 million.

While the horse and mule populations have remained stable at 0.4 million and 0.2 million respectively over the past five years, there has been a slight increase in the camel count, rising from 1.1 million to 1.2 million during the past fiscal year.

The livestock sector plays a pivotal role in Pakistan's rural economy, engaging over 8 million rural families in livestock production. It contributes significantly to their livelihoods, constituting around 35% to 40% of their total income.

In terms of economic impact, the livestock sector has solidified its position as a primary driver of agricultural growth, contributing approximately 60.84% to the agricultural value added and 14.63% to the national GDP during FY2024. The gross value addition of the sector increased to Rs 5,804 billion in 2023-24, marking a growth rate of 3.9% compared to the previous year. Additionally, the sector's net foreign exchange earnings account for about 1.6% of the country's total exports.