The mule is a hybrid animal, resulting from the cross between a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare). Mules are prized globally for inheriting the strength and size of a horse while possessing the hardiness, patience, and sure-footedness of a donkey. This genetic combination makes them exceptionally well-suited for labor in challenging environments. Determining their total number requires consulting international agricultural data, which provides an estimate of the global mule population and its distribution.
The Global Population Estimate
The most authoritative data for worldwide livestock populations comes from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Based on FAO data, the global mule population is estimated at approximately 8.5 million animals. This figure reflects the last comprehensive update, tracking population changes up to 2018. This number represents a broad estimate compiled from various national reports and is subject to reporting limitations, placing the mule as a significant, though declining, working animal worldwide. The largest national population reported in 2018 was found in Mexico, which accounted for over 3.2 million mules.
Geographic Concentration and Essential Roles
The vast majority of the world’s mules are concentrated in low and middle-income countries, where they remain integral to daily life and economic activity. They are relied upon heavily in regions where rugged terrain and lack of infrastructure make mechanized transport impractical. Mexico, China, Brazil, and Ethiopia consistently rank among the nations with the highest numbers of mules.
Mules perform essential tasks supporting subsistence farming and rural livelihoods. They are commonly used as pack animals, capable of carrying loads of up to 200 pounds over long distances and difficult mountain trails. Their utility extends to agriculture for plowing and carting goods, and in small-scale industries like logging and mining. Mules are particularly valuable due to their greater endurance, ability to navigate steep paths, resistance to disease, and lower feed requirements compared to horses.
Population Trends and Data Accuracy
For several decades, the global mule population has been experiencing a steady decline, a trend linked directly to increasing mechanization across the world. Between 1997 and 2018, the global number of mules decreased by approximately 2% per year. This reduction is particularly notable in regions that have undergone rapid modernization, such as parts of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Despite the overall decline, some regions, including Sub-Saharan Africa and Western Europe, have reported small increases, suggesting the animal’s utility persists in specific contexts.
The reported population numbers are inherently estimates because a significant portion of the global mule population exists within informal and subsistence economies. Many working equids are not officially registered or tracked, especially in remote areas, making a precise count impossible. Official figures rely on data submission from national governments, which can be inconsistent or based on extrapolation rather than census data.