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The State of the World’s Animal Health
An inaugural global overview of animal health in a changing world. Published by The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the State of the World’s Animal Health provides a clear, evidence-based overview of the global animal health landscape. Drawing on WOAH’s robust data systems and the collective expertise of its Members and scientific network, the report delivers timely, objective analysis to inform action and guide progress toward a healthier, more resilient future for animals and people alike.
Investing in animal health matters now more than ever
The State of World’s Animal Health Report 2026 comes at a time when the financing landscape on which prevention depends is contracting sharply. Global health aid is declining. The risk? The most strategic investments, those that prevent crises before they occur, risk being deprioritised.
In a world of accelerating biological risk and tightening budgets, investing in animal health is not optional. It is the responsible choice.
Drawing on evidence, with data and concrete experience of countries and territories, the report highlights the impact of prioritising the Veterinary Services, and workforce capacity in building a safer, more resilient future for all.
Investing in animal health, investing in people
Around 60% of known human infectious diseases originate in animals, and 75% of emerging infectious human diseases have an animal origin. Yet investment remains at an all-time low. Animal health receives as little as 0.6 percent of global health spending despite mounting disease crises.
Investing in animal health goes beyond protecting animals. It is an investment in people: their incomes, their food security, and their opportunities. It is an investment in systems that must remain stable even as they evolve. Protecting people starts earlier than the clinic: it starts with stronger animal health systems.
Less than USD
1 billion/year
is provided each year in development aid for Veterinary Services*
Approximately USD
2.3 billion/year
estimated investment required to bring Veterinary Services assessed by WOAH up to standards
Less than 0.05% of COVID-19 costs in 2020
the annual investment needed is a fraction of the direct cost of the pandemic in one year
Workforce declining
95% of Members assessed by WOAH maintained or improved continuing education capacity, yet 18% reported declining veterinarian capacity and 22% declining paraprofessional capacity
*(HealthforAnimals and World Bank analyses)
Explore the report – chapter summaries
Shared benefits, shared responsibility
Animal health delivers shared public good benefits and, in doing so, raises an important question: who should pay for its protection? The answer lies in collective action.
Protecting animal health is, therefore, a shared responsibility, requiring coordinated investment across multiple levels. When governments invest alongside industry, they strengthen the public good dimension of animal health. With everyone playing a role, the result is a system that is better resourced and more cohesive.
CASE STUDY
The European Union: a collective investment in animal health and welfare
Across 27 Member States, the EU has built a common legal framework, shared emergency structure and a major research partnership that reflects an integrated approach. At the centre of this effort is the European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare. The strength of this collective approach has already been tested in practice. In 2025, outbreaks, including foot and mouth disease in Europe, proved the value of Europe’s animal health architecture. Shared emergency frameworks, vaccine-bank architecture and real-time notification systems enabled a more efficient and coordinated response.
Measuring and improving the performance of Veterinary Services
Strengthening Veterinary Services requires more than investment alone. It relies on structured, evidence-based assessments that help WOAH Members identify performance gaps, set priorities and guide improvement.
The PVS Pathway supports this through independent evaluations and targeted follow-up, enabling Members to turn analysis into action and use investment more effectively. By providing a shared assessment framework, it facilitates dialogue among ministries and stakeholders, helping align priorities, mobilise resources and translate evaluation into tangible improvements in animal health systems.
CASE STUDY
Bolivia: improving Veterinary Services
In Bolivia, efforts to strengthen Veterinary Services have been shaped by sustained engagement with the PVS Pathway. As demands on the livestock sector increased, the PVS Evaluation provided a foundation for improvement. It identified priority areas in legislation, technical capacity and coordination, offering practical guidance. Over time, Veterinary Services became more coordinated, more resilient, and better able to protect livestock and livelihoods. Bolivia’s experience shows how structured investment in Veterinary Services can turn evidence into action. By using the PVS Pathway to guide reforms, the country demonstrates how targeted, system-level investment can strengthen governance, improve coordination and build long-term resilience.
What data says
of surveyed Members report that PVS recommendations helped them take concrete action to improve their Veterinary Services
of Members reported increased financial resources for Veterinary Services following recent PVS Evaluations
Strengthening the Veterinary Workforce
A stronger veterinary workforce means stronger prevention, surveillance and resilience. The veterinary workforce is the backbone of animal health systems and is a key asset of the One Health approach.
Shortages in the veterinary workforce, whether in numbers, skills, regulatory frameworks, and professional independence, poses a significant global risk. Effective animal health depends on a diverse workforce, from veterinarians providing high-level clinical expertise and regulatory oversight, to veterinary paraprofessionals delivering essential services, and professionals supporting laboratories, surveillance, risk analysis and epidemic intelligence.
What data says
The WOAH Observatory analysed PVS IS data related to the veterinary workforce and the actions taken by Members to strengthen it. Overall, most of these countries or territories maintained or improved their capacity to deliver continuing education, but some Members experienced a decline in their capacity to maintain an adequate number of veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals.
Workforce: continuing education is on track, but staffing is at risk
CASE STUDY
Colombia: preserving chagras through community training
In Colombia’s Amazon region, investment in local capacity has strengthened animal health surveillance on the ground. The Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA) has trained community members, known as sensores, to monitor the health status of animals and crops in traditional farming systems (chagras) and report early signs of disease. These community sensores play a role similar to community animal health workers elsewhere, supporting early warning and rapid disease detection. In Amazonas alone, 26 trained sensores contribute to a national network of 5,000 community members. This low-cost, scalable model extends surveillance and response into areas beyond the reach of conventional services.
Surveillance in a connected world
Surveillance is the backbone of early detection in an interconnected world. Moving animals from one country to another is a daily activity linked to trade. This concerns not only companion animals but also livestock. With any movement of animals comes the risk of spreading diseases from one area to another. This is where surveillance, integrated data systems, and digital tools become essential. The challenge is not the presence of a disease in a country but having access to the right information at the right moment to respond effectively.
As Santa Ansonska, (Division of Information Analysis and Emergency Response of the Food and Veterinary Service of Latvia) explains: “We should all fear the unknown. But if data are available quickly, we can be more proactive and not just react to the situation.”
CASE STUDY
United Arab Emirates: digital surveillance through community reporting
The United Arab Emirates shows how digital innovation can strengthen animal health systems at scale. In 2019, it launched the Bio-Security Early Notification System, a national platform enabling authorities and citizens to report animal, human and environmental health risks in real time. Using a One Health approach, the system supports early detection, faster coordination and targeted disease responses. In 2025, it recorded 360 animal disease reports, including 30 from outside government bodies, reinforcing a shift from emergency response to proactive prevention.
What data says
The returns: people, economies and the planet
For millions of households around the world, livestock is more than a productive asset. It is a source of income, a store of wealth, a safety net in times of crisis, and a pathway to better nutrition. In this context, animal health is also a livelihood concern. When animals remain healthy, the benefits are immediate and tangible. Productivity increases, mortality decreases, and market opportunities expand. For smallholders in particular, the difference can be significant: healthy livestock can translate into income gains of 20-40%, strengthening household resilience and improving living standards.
CASE STUDY
Jordan: the high returns on livestock trade and food security
In Jordan, livestock plays a vital role in rural livelihoods and food security, particularly in arid areas. Sheep and goats provide income and nutrition for many households, yet disease, drought and limited resources create vulnerability. To manage these risks, Jordan has invested in its animal health system, strengthening surveillance, disease control and Veterinary Services. Vaccination campaigns and improved reporting have reduced disease, and enabled access to regional trade, strengthening livelihoods and resilience. Healthier animals have supported more stable production and improved food availability for domestic markets, while stronger disease control and compliance with international standards have enabled access to regional trade.
The case for investment is clear
Investing in animal health is one of the most effective economic decisions countries and territories can make. Studies show returns on investment of up to 86% per year, placing animal health among the most productive investments for society.
The State of the World’s Animal Health Report
Published by The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the State of the World’s Animal Health provides a clear, evidence-based overview of the global animal health landscape.