Global Animal Welfare Progress: Measuring Impact and Prioritising Action

Animal welfare as a global movement has achieved measurable progress over recent decades, and evidence-based prioritisation of future actions enables the most impactful use of limited resources.

Key Facts

Over 90 countries have enacted national animal welfare legislation in the past 30 years
Battery cage bans for laying hens have been enacted across the EU, UK, Canada, and several US states
Global meat consumption per capita in high-income countries is showing signs of plateauing, with plant-based alternatives growing rapidly
The global animal welfare charity sector has grown significantly, with GiveWell and Animal Charity Evaluators providing evidence-based guidance
Effective animal welfare advocacy has been estimated to improve the lives of thousands of animals per dollar donated to top-rated charities

Welfare Considerations

Measuring global animal welfare progress is complex — aggregate metrics of animal numbers in various systems, legislative coverage, and corporate commitment data paint a mixed but improving picture. The most tractable near-term welfare improvements are concentrated in institutional and corporate policy change: cage-free transitions, gestation crate phase-outs, and improved slaughter standards affect the welfare of billions of animals. Individual consumer choices and charity donations to highly effective welfare organisations multiply these impacts. Evidence-based prioritisation using frameworks from Animal Charity Evaluators enables individuals to maximise their welfare impact.

What You Can Do

Donate to top-rated animal welfare charities identified by Animal Charity Evaluators for maximum impact
Engage with corporate welfare campaigns targeting major food companies to achieve policy commitments
Stay informed about animal welfare legislation in your jurisdiction and contact your representatives to support welfare bills