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World: Milk production and population
This page provides, in a given period of time, with the comparison between the data related to world milk output and world population figures. The below selected Countries are grouped according to specific geographical areas.

N.B.: It is interesting to note that both the volumes of cow milk production and population have increased. The general growth of cow milk production (thanks also to the technology developments, sanitary controls, genetic research, nutrition...) goes along with a wealthier population.

The different proportion between milk output and population gives the opportunity to make some further remarks.

Comparing the two pie diagrams hereafter, it is possible to note that:
  • There are geographical areas with a good standard of living (as for example the EU-28, Oceania, North America...) where production exceeds needed domestic demand, thus offering a wide range of dairy products for exports;
  • There are geographical areas that evidence shortage of milk and dairy products (such as Asia, Africa...), compared to population;
  • There are geographical areas showing an important production (for example Extra EU-28, South America) compared to population. However, the domestic income does not allow an adequate consumption of milk and dairy products.
To find out which countries are among the reference geographical areas, click HERE
Cow milk production in the World ('000 Tons)
Country 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 ±% on 2016
European Union 150.087 150.547 152.248 158.334 161.525 161.262 163.217 +1,21%
Europe (Others - extra EU) 60.266 60.925 59.753 59.896 59.807 59.676 60.310 +1,06%
North America 97.421 99.575 99.672 101.866 102.760 104.498 105.836 +1,28%
South Central America and Caribbean 78.176 78.579 79.950 81.125 81.520 78.400 78.716 +0,40%
Oceania 26.511 28.682 29.062 30.931 31.497 30.741 30.241 -1,62%
Asia 105.014 110.222 114.725 121.368 129.260 135.058 143.932 +6,57%
Asia - South East 50.193 51.775 49.637 51.785 46.654 45.715 43.625 -4,57%
Africa 35.546 36.777 36.518 36.432 36.239 36.276 35.376 -2,48%
Asia - Middle East 13.013 13.231 13.912 14.421 11.880 12.316 13.231 +7,43%
Rest of the World 0,00%
World 616.226 630.312 635.477 656.157 661.140 663.942 674.485
± % on the previous year   +2,29 +0,82 +3,25 +0,76 +0,42 +1,59
Last update: 01-02-2019
Source: FAO
Show / Hide Pie Production of milk by geographic area
World population ('000)
Country 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 ±% on 2016
European Union 502.965 504.048 505.163 507.011 508.540 510.277 511.523 +0,24%
Europe (Others - extra EU) 243.393 243.530 243.687 243.832 243.935 243.985 243.972 -0,01%
North America 345.717 348.361 350.917 353.448 356.003 358.594 361.206 +0,73%
South Central America and Caribbean 604.458 611.505 618.484 625.376 632.158 638.824 645.369 +1,02%
Oceania 37.240 37.827 38.403 38.970 39.543 40.117 40.690 +1,43%
Asia 1.801.229 1.826.309 1.851.303 1.876.144 1.900.769 1.925.167 1.949.324 +1,25%
Asia - South East 2.205.966 2.221.587 2.237.104 2.252.240 2.266.786 2.280.656 2.293.868 +0,58%
Africa 1.076.939 1.105.285 1.134.396 1.164.130 1.194.372 1.225.082 1.256.269 +2,55%
Asia - Middle East 222.814 227.722 232.452 237.057 241.566 245.959 250.228 +1,74%
Rest of the World 0,00%
World 7.040.721 7.126.174 7.211.909 7.298.208 7.383.672 7.468.661 7.552.449
±% on the previous year   +1,21 +1,20 +1,20 +1,17 +1,15 +1,12
Last update: 01-02-2019
Source: FAO, Eurostat
Show / Hide pie of world population divided by geographic area
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