As of 2025, there are approximately 460,000 to 470,000 elephants left worldwide, comprising both African and Asian elephants. African Elephants:
- The total African elephant population is around 415,000. This includes both African savanna (bush) elephants and African forest elephants.
- African savanna elephants number roughly 300,000, while forest elephants account for about 100,000.
- African elephants are classified as endangered or critically endangered, with populations generally decreasing due to poaching and habitat loss
Asian Elephants:
- Asian elephants number between 40,000 and 50,000 individuals.
- They are classified as endangered, facing severe threats from habitat loss, human-elephant conflict, and poaching.
- Asian elephants now occupy less than 15% of their historical range and are found in only 13 countries in South and Southeast Asia
Key Countries with Largest Elephant Populations:
- Botswana leads with about 131,909 elephants.
- Other countries with significant populations include Zimbabwe (~65,000), Tanzania (~43,000), India (~27,000 Asian elephants), Kenya (~26,000), Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, Gabon, and Mozambique
Despite conservation efforts and international bans on ivory trade, elephant populations remain under threat, and their numbers are a fraction of historic levels, which were estimated to be in the tens of millions just a century ago
. In summary, roughly 460,000 to 470,000 elephants remain globally, with African elephants making up the vast majority and Asian elephants facing more critical endangerment.
