Animal testing - Statistics & Facts

The use of animals as test subjects in medical and scientific research is deeply controversial, yet in many areas of the world, animals continue to be used as scientific material. The use of animals in medical research has been beneficial to the advancement and understanding of human medicine, physiology and pharmacology. However, this knowledge comes at a price to animal life.

The need for strict regulations

The benefits associated with developing medical understanding are unquestionable and in many ways the public is justifying the use of animals as research tools because, it seems, there is no alternative available. The United Kingdom has some of the strictest laws when it comes to animal testing, with research only being conducted in a licensed establishment and with a permit awarded only after the process has been conducted through an ethical review board.The majority of scientific research takes place at universities and medical schools, followed by commercial organisations. Public opinion on animal research organizations depicts them as secretive, but also well-regulated and in place to carry out work essential for human health. The UK Government is currently working to bring awareness to the use of animals in scientific research, with the aim of reducing, replacing and refining the use of animals in research procedures.

Rodents are the unlucky ones

Millions of animals are used in research and testing worldwide, with the United States, China, and Japan using the most animals for research purposes, accumulating to an estimated 47 million animals. Rodents including rats and mice are the class of animal most likely to be used in research for several reasons, such as their convenience in size, reproductive ability, breeding costs, and their physiology closely resembles that of humans. For this reason, individuals think it’s acceptable to use rodents for medical research to benefit people and for animal health.

Tolerated only if essential

Research conducted on animals varies from research on the nervous system to immunology and oncology. The majority of tests conducted are considered to be mild or moderate in how severe they are on animals. Many individuals believe in the benefits of testing on animals where no alternative exists, while we’re less likely to agree to conducting non-medical-related experiments on animals. In fact, cosmetic testing is banned in the European Union as a result of the unnecessary harm it causes to animals. Following the EU Regulation 1223/2009 on cosmetics, products tested on animals are not permitted for sale within the European Union.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

Number of animals used in research in the EU: 9.4m

Number of mice used in experiments in the EU in 2022: 4.01m

Number of mice used in experiments in GB: 933k

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Current statistics on this topic

Annual number of animals used in research and testing in selected countries worldwide as of 2020 (in millions)

Science & Research

Number of animals used in research and testing worldwide 2020 by country

Number of animals used in scientific experiments in Great Britain from 2022 to 2023, by genetic status

Livestock

Animals used in scientific experiments in Great Britain 2022-2023, by genetic status

Number of animals used in scientific experiments in Great Britain from 2022 to 2023, by severity

Livestock

Animals used in scientific experiments in Great Britain in 2022-2023, by severity

Total numbers

Basic Statistic Number of animals used in research and testing worldwide 2020 by country
Number of animals used in research and testing worldwide 2020 by country
Annual number of animals used in research and testing in selected countries worldwide as of 2020 (in millions)
Basic Statistic Number of animals used for scientific research in the EU 2015-2022
Number of animals used for scientific research in the EU 2015-2022
Total number of animals used for scientific research in the European Union from 2015 to 2022

Animal classes

Premium Statistic Animals used for scientific research in the European Union in 2022 by animal class
Animals used for scientific research in the European Union in 2022 by animal class
Number of animals used for scientific research in the European Union in 2022, by class of animal
Basic Statistic Animals used for scientific research in the European Union 2022, by animal class
Animals used for scientific research in the European Union 2022, by animal class
Share of animals used for scientific research in the European Union in 2022, by class of animal
Basic Statistic Animal classes used for scientific research in the European Union 1999-2022
Animal classes used for scientific research in the European Union 1999-2022
Share of animal classes used for scientific research in the European Union between 1999 and 2022

Purpose and type of use

Basic Statistic Animals used for scientific research in the European Union 2019, by origin
Animals used for scientific research in the European Union 2019, by origin
Share of animals used for scientific research in the European Union in 2019, by origin
Basic Statistic Purposes for scientific research on animals in European Union countries 2019
Purposes for scientific research on animals in European Union countries 2019
Share of purposes for scientific research on animals in the European Union countries in 2019
Basic Statistic Animals used for scientific research in the European Union 2019, by severity
Animals used for scientific research in the European Union 2019, by severity
Share of animals used for scientific research in the European Union in 2019, by severity of use

Focus: Great Britain

Basic Statistic Procedures on scientific animal experiments in Great Britain 2020
Procedures on scientific animal experiments in Great Britain 2020
Number of procedures on animals used in scientific experiments in Great Britain in 2020, by type of licensed establishment
Premium Statistic Animals used for experimental purposes in Great Britain in 2023
Animals used for experimental purposes in Great Britain in 2023
Number of animals used for experimental purposes in Great Britain in 2023, by species of animal
Basic Statistic Animals used in scientific experiments in Great Britain by research field 2022
Animals used in scientific experiments in Great Britain by research field 2022
Number of animals used in scientific experiments in Great Britain from 2019 to 2022, by research field
Premium Statistic Animals used in scientific experiments in Great Britain 2022-2023, by genetic status
Animals used in scientific experiments in Great Britain 2022-2023, by genetic status
Number of animals used in scientific experiments in Great Britain from 2022 to 2023, by genetic status
Premium Statistic Animals used in scientific experiments in Great Britain in 2022-2023, by severity
Animals used in scientific experiments in Great Britain in 2022-2023, by severity
Number of animals used in scientific experiments in Great Britain from 2022 to 2023, by severity
Premium Statistic Mice used in scientific experiments in Great Britain 2022-2023 by procedure
Mice used in scientific experiments in Great Britain 2022-2023 by procedure
Number of mice used in scientific experiments in Great Britain in 2022 and 2023, by procedure

Number of animals used in research in the EU: 9.4m

Number of mice used in experiments in the EU in 2022: 4.01m

Number of mice used in experiments in GB: 933k

Key figures

The most important key figures provide you with a compact summary of the topic of "Animal testing" and take you straight to the corresponding statistics.

Number of toxicology tests on animals
11076
Detailed statistics
Toxicology tests conducted on animals in the United Kingdom (UK) 2018
Number of animals used in experiments on the nervous system in 2022
198,834
Detailed statistics
Animals used in scientific experiments in Great Britain by research field 2022
Share of animals used in study of human CVD in the EU
7.9%
Detailed statistics
Animals used for study of disease in the European Union 27 2011, by disease class

Share of animals used for basic research in the EU
45%
Detailed statistics
Purposes for scientific research on animals in European Union countries 2019
Number of animals used in experiments on the nervous system
41%
Detailed statistics
Public information on animal research and developments in the United Kingdom 2016
Share of individuals who think animal research is necessary for research on human health
46%
Detailed statistics
Public opinion of animal research and researchers in the United Kingdom 2016

Number of procedures on animals used in experiments in universities in 2020
1.56m
Detailed statistics
Procedures on scientific animal experiments in Great Britain 2020
Number of animals born in the UK in licensed establishments
1.48m
Detailed statistics
Animals used in scientific experiments in Great Britain in 2023, by place of birth
Share of individuals who think animal testing organisations are secretive
42%
Detailed statistics
Public views of animal research organisations in the United Kingdom (UK) 2016