Global Fur Production Plummets 85% in a Decade — From 140 Million Animals to 20.5 Million

The numbers tell a story of dramatic, accelerating change: the global fur industry has collapsed by 85% in just ten years, with the number of animals farmed and killed for fur dropping from 140 million in 2014 to just 20.5 million in 2024.

A Decade of Decline

According to data from Humane World for Animals, the fur farming industry has experienced one of the fastest declines of any animal agriculture sector in history. The causes are multiple and reinforcing: country-level bans, major fashion brands going fur-free, shifting consumer attitudes, and the economic impact of COVID-19 on mink farms.

What Drove the Change?

Government bans have been a major factor. Over a dozen European countries have banned or are phasing out fur farming, including the UK, Austria, the Netherlands, Norway, and most recently Italy and France. Israel became the first country outside Europe to ban the fur trade entirely.

Fashion industry shifts have been equally powerful. Luxury brands including Gucci, Prada, Versace, Burberry, and Chanel have all gone fur-free. Fast fashion retailers followed. When high fashion declared fur passé, the market shrank rapidly.

Consumer attitudes have shifted dramatically, particularly among younger generations. Surveys consistently show that Gen Z and Millennials overwhelmingly reject animal fur, viewing it as unnecessary and cruel.

COVID Accelerated the Decline

The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a devastating blow to the mink farming industry specifically. After SARS-CoV-2 was found to spread between mink and humans, Denmark — then the world's largest mink producer — culled its entire population of 17 million mink and implemented a permanent ban on mink farming.

There's still work to be done — 20.5 million animals is still 20.5 million too many for animal welfare advocates. But the trajectory is unmistakable, and momentum is only growing. The age of fur farming is ending.