Mongolia consists largely of rangelands, and pastoralism is a way of life for many of its people. The government of Mongolia initiated the 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists and will host the 17th session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s Conference of Parties in the same year. In 2029 it will host the International Rangelands Congress.
Because pastoralism is such an important part of Mongolia’s culture and economy, Mongolia has relatively good information about pastoralism, pastoralist and rangelands. This brief in LPP’s Accounting for Pastoralists series gives an overview of pastoralism in the country and the sources of data that are available.
Accounting for pastoralists in Mongolia
Rangelands cover 83% of Mongolia, and include steppes, deserts and mountain areas. Pastoralism supports over 250,000 herder
households who herd 58 million livestock of five main species – Bactrian camels, cattle, goats, horses and sheep – plus some reindeer
and yaks. Transhumant herders, predominantly Khalkha, account for 22.5% of the workforce and contribute around 7% of GDP.
Harsh winters (dzuds) kill millions of animals. Some 70% of the country’s rangelands are degraded. Mongolia has relatively good data on pastoralism and rangelands, with some indicators down to the subdistrict level. But project-supported datasets are not integrated into these official databases. Pastoralism is an important part of Mongolia’s cultural identity. The government’s long-term development strategy aims to build on pastoralism to modernize the country’s economy and society.
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