There is no specific or even estimated answer as to how many whales are in the world. Some researchers have estimates on specific whale species like the Blue Whales, which has an estimated count of 10,000 to 25,000 all over the world. Humpback Whales beat this number with an estimated 84,000 in the whole world.
Types of Whales and Their Population
Whales are classified into two groups: baleen and toothed. Each group includes different families and species. Let’s look at some estimated whale populations globally.
Gray Whale Family
The gray whale is the sole member of its family. Unlike other baleen whales, gray whales thrive in shallow waters, feeding on seafloor food. As of 2020, around 20,500 gray whales remained. Sadly, the 2022 survey indicated there are now about 16,650 left.
Right Whale and Bowhead Whale Family
This group consists of three right whale species and one bowhead whale. Currently, there are about 10,000 bowheads and 13,000 southern right whales left.
Rorqual Family
The family of rorqual whales, which includes the blue whale, is the largest baleen whale family with nine members. The blue whale population is estimated at between 10,000 and 25,000 worldwide.
Pygmy Right Whale Family
The pygmy right whale is the sole member of its family, resembling the gray whale. These whales are rarely seen at sea, so much about them remains a mystery. The population size, both past and present, is unknown.
Sperm Whale Family
The sperm whale is the sole member of its family. The whaling industry drastically cut their numbers from about 1.1 million to just 300,000. Today, these majestic creatures are listed as endangered.
Pygmy Sperm Whale and Dwarf Sperm Whale Family
The dwarf and pygmy sperm whales, which look more like dolphins than whales, are much smaller than sperm whales. There’s not enough information to determine if this species’ population is growing, stable, or decreasing.
Beluga Whale and Narwhal Family
Today, nearly 136,000 Belugas exist, with two-thirds living near Arctic sea ice. There are over 100,000 narwhals, putting them at a low risk for extinction.
Beaked Whale Family
About 21 species of medium-sized toothed whales belong to this family. They live in every ocean. There’s still a lack of data on beaked whale populations, making estimates difficult.
