In Japan, furry friends have officially outnumbered children, showing just how much family life is shifting. According to recent reports, Japan has about 15.9 million pet dogs and cats, compared with fewer than 13.7 million children under the age of 15! With fewer young families and more seniors living alone or as couples, many households are turning to pets for love and company.
And Japan is not alone. From the US and Brazil to China and India, pet ownership has soared since the pandemic, with millions of households worldwide welcoming new cats and dogs. The global pet population is climbing fast as more people seek comfort from animals.
Intrigued? Click through this gallery to see which countries give pets the biggest role in daily life in 2025.