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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 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 ±% on 2015
European Union 147.764 150.087 150.547 152.248 158.334 161.693 158.156 -2,19%
Europe (Others - extra EU) 60.639 60.266 60.925 59.753 59.896 59.815 59.671 -0,24%
North America 95.732 97.421 99.575 99.672 101.866 102.070 103.877 +1,77%
South Central America and Caribbean 75.025 78.179 78.582 79.952 81.112 80.772 76.704 -5,04%
Oceania 26.101 26.511 28.682 29.062 30.931 31.497 29.458 -6,47%
Asia 99.726 105.014 110.222 114.725 120.694 128.617 129.398 +0,61%
Asia - South East 49.707 50.356 51.940 49.802 51.955 52.682 51.564 -2,12%
Africa 35.999 36.483 37.717 37.459 37.494 37.611 37.743 +0,35%
Asia - Middle East 12.302 13.013 13.231 13.912 14.421 12.004 12.578 +4,78%
Rest of the World 0,00%
World 602.995 617.330 631.420 636.586 656.701 666.761 659.150
± % on the previous year   +2,38 +2,28 +0,82 +3,16 +1,53 -1,14
Last update: 15-01-2018
Source: FAO
Show / Hide Pie Production of milk by geographic area
World population ('000)
Country 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 ±% on 2015
European Union 503.171 502.965 504.041 505.143 506.974 508.504 510.279 +0,35%
Europe (Others - extra EU) 243.313 243.393 243.530 243.687 243.833 243.935 243.985 +0,02%
North America 342.937 345.717 348.361 350.918 353.448 356.003 358.594 +0,73%
South Central America and Caribbean 597.564 604.458 611.506 618.484 625.377 632.158 638.825 +1,05%
Oceania 36.635 37.240 37.827 38.403 38.970 39.543 40.117 +1,45%
Asia 1.776.111 1.801.234 1.826.313 1.851.301 1.876.145 1.900.767 1.925.167 +1,28%
Asia - South East 2.190.450 2.205.966 2.221.589 2.237.101 2.252.240 2.266.787 2.280.656 +0,61%
Africa 1.049.448 1.076.940 1.105.286 1.134.399 1.164.131 1.194.374 1.225.085 +2,57%
Asia - Middle East 217.726 222.814 227.722 232.453 237.057 241.567 245.960 +1,82%
Rest of the World 0,00%
World 6.957.355 7.040.727 7.126.175 7.211.889 7.298.175 7.383.638 7.468.668
±% on the previous year   +1,20 +1,21 +1,20 +1,20 +1,17 +1,15
Last update: 15-01-2018
Source: FAO, Eurostat
Show / Hide pie of world population divided by geographic area
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