Which Weighs More: the World's Human or Livestock Population?

The combined weight of all of the livestock in the world is about double the weight of all humans on Earth. The average human weighs about 143 pounds (or 65 kg) and collectively, at about 7 billion people in the world, that's very roughly 1 trillion pounds (or 453 billion kg) of collective human weight in the world. The collective livestock weight in the world is about 2 trillion pounds or over 900 billion kg. There are an estimated 1.3 billion cows, 19 billion chickens, 940 million pigs, and around a billion sheep, as well as goats and other livestock.

More about livestock:

• While livestock scales are the most accurate way of measuring the weight of farm animals, it is also possible to determine, relatively well, an animal's body weight by taking various measurements and plugging them into a mathematical formula. For instance, the formula for determining a pig's weight in pounds is the measurement from its ears to tail multiplied by 2 times the circumference of its body divided by 400.


• There are about three chickens per person in the world.


• The land used for livestock is a little more than 7 times that used to grow crops for humans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which weighs more: the world's human population or livestock population?

According to a study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, livestock outweighs the human population significantly. The global livestock population, including cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats, has a combined mass exceeding that of humans by several times, highlighting the extensive scale of animal farming.

How does the biomass of livestock compare to that of humans?

The biomass of livestock is much greater than that of humans. For instance, the biomass of cattle alone is estimated to be more than the combined weight of all humans. This disparity is due to both the sheer number of livestock animals and their individual weights, which often surpass human weight.

What is the total weight of the world's livestock population?

The total weight of the world's livestock population is difficult to pinpoint precisely due to fluctuations in animal populations and weights. However, it is clear that the aggregate mass of livestock animals is in the billions of tons, far exceeding the total weight of the human population.

How has the weight of livestock populations changed over time?

The weight of livestock populations has increased over time due to the intensification of farming practices and selective breeding for larger animals. This growth reflects the rising demand for meat and dairy products globally, leading to larger herds and flocks with greater overall mass.

What are the environmental implications of the large biomass of livestock?

The large biomass of livestock has significant environmental implications, including increased greenhouse gas emissions, land degradation, and water pollution. The resources required to sustain such a large biomass contribute to deforestation and biodiversity loss, making livestock one of the key factors in environmental change.

Can the human population's weight ever surpass that of livestock?

It is highly unlikely that the human population's weight will surpass that of livestock in the foreseeable future. The growth rate of livestock biomass outpaces human population growth due to the continuous demand for animal products and the efficiency of modern farming practices in producing heavier animals.