Long-term trends in animal welfare show progress alongside challenges, with the trajectory of the global food system and growing welfare movement setting the direction.
The trajectory of animal welfare globally is mixed: legislative progress and growing advocacy in wealthy countries coexists with dramatically increasing farm animal numbers in developing economies. The technology and policy tools to significantly reduce farm animal suffering exist; what is lacking is sufficient political will and consumer demand. The next decade will determine whether the welfare movement achieves transformative change or incremental progress.