New data from Humane World for Animals reveals a dramatic collapse in the global fur farming industry: the number of animals farmed and killed for fur has plummeted from 140 million in 2014 to just 20.5 million in 2024 — an 85% decline.

The data tracks the use of minks, foxes, chinchillas, and the raccoon dogs of East Asia, revealing declining rates of fur production across all major regions: China, Russia, North America, and the European Union.

Decades of Activism Paying Off

Experts say the downward trend was first sparked by anti-fur activism in the 1980s. What began as protests and awareness campaigns has evolved into a multi-decade cultural shift. Major fashion brands have dropped fur from their collections, countries have banned fur farming outright, and consumer demand has simply evaporated.

The Numbers Tell the Story

The scale of the decline is extraordinary:

  • 2014: 140 million animals farmed for fur
  • 2024: 20.5 million animals farmed for fur
  • Decline: 85% in just 10 years

While 20.5 million is still a significant number, the trajectory is unmistakable. The fur farming industry, once a global powerhouse, is in terminal decline.

What Comes Next

Animal welfare organizations are pushing for complete bans on fur farming in the remaining countries where it's still legal. With public opinion firmly against the practice and luxury fashion increasingly embracing alternatives, the question isn't whether the fur industry will end — but when.

For the millions of animals that will never see the inside of a fur farm because of this shift, the answer came just in time.

Source: Good Good Good · Data from Humane World for Animals