The world population of storks is about 330 thousand pairs.

The global stork population has reached about 330,000 pairs. This is an increase of over 20 percent compared to the data from a decade ago - according to the official results of the stork count for 2024.

Scientists and naturalists have summarised the data collected as part of the 8th International White Stork Census, conducted by NABU ( BirdLife Germany ) in cooperation with BirdLife International. The census was conducted in 2024. It covered 41 countries with complete results and another eight with preliminary data.

Poland has been considered a haven for the white stork for decades. It joined the group of countries with a full set of data in June 2025. As commented by Prof. Piotr Tryjanowski from the University of Life Sciences in Poznań, "sometimes it is worth waiting with publication to have the most complete and verified picture possible - especially in a country with such a large population as Poland, where differences between regions can be significant. Although regional details have not yet been published - it is known that the number of breeding pairs in Poland remains at a very high level, without a significant increase, but also without a dramatic decrease."

"Against the background of the relatively stable situation in Poland, data from other countries show strongly diversified trends," notes Prof. Tryjanowski.

The professor cites the example of Algeria, where based on new data from two departments, a five-fold increase in the number of breeding pairs was estimated compared to 2004 – from 6,600 to around 33,000. "Libya, on the other hand, took part in an international census for the first time and immediately revealed a much larger population than previously thought: 758 pairs, mainly in the north-eastern provinces. It is also worth noting the situation in Great Britain, where 30 pairs were recorded, originating from a reintroduction program implemented in southern England – a decade ago, there were no storks there at all. On the other hand, declines are noted in the Baltic countries – in Estonia, the population decreased by around 18%, and in Latvia - by 28% compared to 2014. Further data from Lithuania, Russia and north-eastern Poland may shed light on the causes of this trend," the scientist concluded.

Currently, it is estimated that the global population of white storks has reached a level of around 330 thousand breeding pairs. This is a significant increase compared to the previous census in 2014, when the number was 265-280 thousand. An increase of 21 percent in a decade can be interpreted as a positive signal, although – as Professor Tryjanowski points out – it is worth remembering that these numbers are hidden by very different local conditions: from reintroduction, through changes in the landscape, to the effects of climate change.

Detailed data from Poland, as well as from other countries, will be subject to further analysis. They will include comparisons between regions, the impact of changes in land use and infrastructure, and possible phenological changes. "Poland remains one of the pillars of the world's white stork population - and we have an obligation not only to protect but also to understand these populations anew, especially in the face of rapid environmental changes," adds Prof. Tryjanowski.

The UPP professor emphasizes that counting storks allows us to observe broader trends. In the decade 2014–2024, based on available data from 40 countries, 15 countries recorded an increase in the number of pairs by over 100 percent. In 18 countries, an increase of 10–100 percent can be seen. In Hungary, Croatia and Portugal, populations remain relatively stable (plus or minus 10 percent). Declines (in only four countries in total) are concentrated in northeastern Europe.

International stork counts take place every 10 years. They allow for the collection of information needed to plan the protection of storks, as well as other rare and endangered species and habitats. The census in Poland was conducted by scientists and ornithologists from the White Stork Research Group with the support of an army of volunteers who visited nests in municipalities in June and July 2024 and recorded the effects of breeding. (PAP)

zana/

The PAP Foundation permits free reprinting of articles from the Nauka w Polsce Service, provided that you inform us by e-mail once a month about the use of the service and provide the source of the article. In portals and internet services, please include the linked address: Source: naukawpolsce.pl, and in journals the annotation: Source: Nauka w Polsce Service - naukawpolsce.pl. The above permission does not apply to: information from the "World" category and any photographs and video materials.