Global rhinoceros population trends

The International Rhino Foundation’s ‘Rhino Status 2026’ report indicates that approximately 26,700 rhinoceroses remain in the wild across five species in Africa and Asia. The report reveals divergent trends among different species.

In Africa, the white rhino population declined from 17,464 in 2023 to approximately 15,752 by the end of 2024, a trend attributed to poaching in South Africa. In contrast, the black rhino population grew from 6,195 in 2022 to 6,788 by late 2024, and the Indian rhino population saw a slight increase to roughly 4,075 individuals.

Asian species face higher extinction risks. The Javan rhino population is critically low, with an estimated 50 individuals remaining in Indonesia’s Ujung Kulon National Park, following a nearly 33% decline between 2019 and 2023. The Sumatran rhino has also seen a severe decline, dropping from an estimated 300 individuals in 1998 to fewer than 50. Experts note that these Indonesian species receive significantly less media attention than African species and warn that the Javan rhino could face extinction within five decades without guaranteed protection.