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Zoo Market Size, Share and Forecast 2026-2036

The global zoo market is worth USD 23.1 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 37.6 bn by 2036, growing at a 5.0% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Zoological parks is the largest by type segment.

USD 23.1 bnMarket size 2026
USD 37.6 bnForecast 2036
5.0%CAGR 2026-2036
United StatesLargest country

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5 segmentation views25 countries2026 to 2036 yearly forecast

Market overview

The global zoo market is worth USD 23.1 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 37.6 bn by 2036, growing at a 5.0% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Zoological parks is the largest by type segment.

ScopeAdmission, membership, food, retail and animal-experience revenue earned by zoos and wildlife parks open to the public.
IndustryTravel and Tourism
Value 2025USD 22.0 bn
Value 2026USD 23.1 bn
Value 2036USD 37.6 bn
CAGR 2026-20365.0%
Volume 2026615 million visits
Volume 2036782 million visits
Average price 2026USD 37.6 per visit
Report priceStarts from USD 1,999
PublishedNovember 2026

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Zoo market size and forecast, 2026-2036

Exhibit 1The global zoo market is forecast to grow from USD 23.1 bn in 2026 to USD 37.6 bn by 2036, a rise of 63%Global market value in USD: 2025 base year, 2026 estimate and forecast to 2036. CAGR 2026 to 2036: 5.0%
Zoo market value, 2025 to 2036Market value by year. 2025: USD 22.0 bn; 2026: USD 23.1 bn; 2027: USD 24.3 bn; 2028: USD 25.5 bn; 2029: USD 26.7 bn; 2030: USD 28.1 bn; 2031: USD 29.5 bn; 2032: USD 31.0 bn; 2033: USD 32.5 bn; 2034: USD 34.1 bn; 2035: USD 35.8 bn; 2036: USD 37.6 bn. Compound annual growth rate 2026 to 2036: 5.0%.202523.1 bn202629.5 bn203137.6 bn20365.0% CAGR

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

YearMarket value
2026USD 23.1 bn
2027USD 24.3 bn
2028USD 25.5 bn
2029USD 26.7 bn
2030USD 28.1 bn
2031USD 29.5 bn
2032USD 31.0 bn
2033USD 32.5 bn
2034USD 34.1 bn
2035USD 35.8 bn
2036USD 37.6 bn

Zoo market segmentation

By type

Exhibit 2Zoological parks is the largest segment by type, with 62.0% of 2026 revenueEstimated share of 2026 global revenue, by type
Zoo market share by type, 2026Share of 2026 revenue by type. Zoological parks: 62.0%; Safari and wildlife parks: 24.0%; Zoo-aquarium combined sites: 14.0%.Zoological parks62.0%Safari and wildlife parks24.0%Zoo-aquarium combined sites14.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Zoological parks62.0%59.0%USD 14.3 bn4.5%
Safari and wildlife parks24.0%26.3%USD 5.5 bn6.0%
Zoo-aquarium combined sites14.0%14.7%USD 3.2 bn5.5%

By revenue source

Exhibit 3Admissions and memberships adds the most revenue by revenue source, growing from USD 12.7 bn in 2026 to USD 19.4 bn by 2036Estimated revenue in USD by revenue source, 2026 and 2036 forecast
Zoo market by revenue source, 2026 and 2036Revenue by revenue source in 2026 and 2036. Admissions and memberships: USD 12.7 bn in 2026, USD 19.4 bn in 2036, change +53%; Food and retail: USD 5.8 bn in 2026, USD 9.3 bn in 2036, change +60%; Experiences and events: USD 4.6 bn in 2026, USD 8.9 bn in 2036, change +94%.20262036 forecastChangeAdmissions and memberships+53%12.7 bn19.4 bnFood and retail+60%5.8 bn9.3 bnExperiences and events+94%4.6 bn8.9 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Admissions and memberships55.0%51.6%USD 12.7 bn4.3%
Food and retail25.0%24.6%USD 5.8 bn4.8%
Experiences and events20.0%23.8%USD 4.6 bn6.8%

By annual visitors

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Under 250,000 visitors36.0%32.0%USD 8.3 bn3.8%
250,000 to 1 million visitors38.0%38.0%USD 8.8 bn5.0%
1 to 3 million visitors18.0%20.0%USD 4.2 bn6.1%
Over 3 million visitors8.0%10.0%USD 1.8 bn7.4%

By ownership

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Municipal and government42.0%38.0%USD 9.7 bn4.0%
Non-profit conservation societies24.0%24.0%USD 5.5 bn5.0%
Private commercial operators26.0%29.0%USD 6.0 bn6.2%
University and association zoos8.0%9.0%USD 1.8 bn6.2%

By animal group

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Mammals42.0%40.0%USD 9.7 bn4.5%
Birds16.0%15.0%USD 3.7 bn4.3%
Reptiles and amphibians14.0%15.0%USD 3.2 bn5.7%
Aquatic and marine animals18.0%19.0%USD 4.2 bn5.6%
Invertebrates and other10.0%11.0%USD 2.3 bn6.0%

Top 25 countries for zoo by revenue

Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 85.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 95.7%.

Exhibit 4United States is the largest country market at USD 6.0 bn in 2026, and the three largest countries hold 55.0% of global revenueEstimated 2026 revenue in USD and share of the global market, ten largest countries
Zoo market, ten largest countries in 2026Ten largest countries by 2026 revenue. United States: USD 6.0 bn, 26.0%; China: USD 5.1 bn, 22.0%; Japan: USD 1.6 bn, 7.0%; Germany: USD 1.4 bn, 6.0%; United Kingdom: USD 1.4 bn, 6.0%; France: USD 1.2 bn, 5.0%; Australia: USD 924 mn, 4.0%; Brazil: USD 808 mn, 3.5%; Spain: USD 693 mn, 3.0%; Thailand: USD 693 mn, 3.0%.United States6.0 bn 26.0%China5.1 bn 22.0%Japan1.6 bn 7.0%Germany1.4 bn 6.0%United Kingdom1.4 bn 6.0%France1.2 bn 5.0%Australia924 mn 4.0%Brazil808 mn 3.5%Spain693 mn 3.0%Thailand693 mn 3.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

#CountryValue 2026Share 2026Value 2036CAGR 2026-36
1United StatesUSD 6.0 bn26.0%USD 9.0 bn4.2%
2ChinaUSD 5.1 bn22.0%USD 10.2 bn7.2%
3JapanUSD 1.6 bn7.0%USD 2.2 bn3.2%
4GermanyUSD 1.4 bn6.0%USD 1.9 bn3.1%
5United KingdomUSD 1.4 bn6.0%USD 2.0 bn3.7%
6FranceUSD 1.2 bn5.0%USD 1.7 bn3.7%
7AustraliaUSD 924 mn4.0%USD 1.5 bn4.7%
8BrazilUSD 808 mn3.5%USD 1.4 bn5.6%
9SpainUSD 693 mn3.0%USD 1.1 bn4.3%
10ThailandUSD 693 mn3.0%USD 1.3 bn6.3%
11CanadaUSD 404 mn1.8%USD 677 mn5.3%
12NetherlandsUSD 340 mn1.5%USD 531 mn4.6%
13ItalyUSD 286 mn1.2%USD 444 mn4.5%
14South KoreaUSD 240 mn1.0%USD 403 mn5.3%
15MexicoUSD 201 mn0.9%USD 361 mn6.0%
16IndiaUSD 169 mn0.7%USD 305 mn6.1%
17RussiaUSD 143 mn0.6%USD 237 mn5.2%
18South AfricaUSD 120 mn0.5%USD 199 mn5.2%
19SingaporeUSD 99 mn0.4%USD 169 mn5.5%
20Czech RepublicUSD 83 mn0.4%USD 139 mn5.3%
21BelgiumUSD 72 mn0.3%USD 109 mn4.3%
22SwedenUSD 60 mn0.3%USD 94 mn4.6%
23SwitzerlandUSD 51 mn0.2%USD 79 mn4.5%
24PolandUSD 42 mn0.2%USD 71 mn5.6%
25ArgentinaUSD 35 mn0.1%USD 60 mn5.7%
Rest of worldUSD 1.0 bn4.3%USD 1.6 bn4.8%
Exhibit 5China and United States account for 56% of the USD 14.5 bn the market is forecast to add by 2036Forecast revenue added between 2026 and 2036 by country, in USD
Zoo market, where the growth to 2036 comes fromRevenue added between 2026 and 2036. Market value 2026: USD 23.1 bn. China: +USD 5.1 bn; United States: +USD 3.0 bn; United Kingdom: +USD 608 mn; Japan: +USD 603 mn; Thailand: +USD 586 mn; 20 other countries: +USD 4.0 bn; Rest of world: +USD 609 mn. Market value 2036: USD 37.6 bn.Market value 202623.1 bnChina+5.1 bnUnited States+3.0 bnUnited Kingdom+608 mnJapan+603 mnThailand+586 mn20 other countries+4.0 bnRest of world+609 mnMarket value 203637.6 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

Competitive landscape

Group 1: Global leaders

  • Merlin Entertainments
  • United Parks & Resorts
  • Chimelong Group
  • Everland
  • Ocean Park Hong Kong
  • Taronga Conservation Society

Group 2: Regional and specialist players

  • San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
  • Wildlife Conservation Society
  • Zoological Society of London
  • Zoos Victoria
  • Chester Zoo
  • ZooParc de Beauval
  • Zoo Berlin
  • Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Group 3: Emerging and niche players

  • Parques Reunidos
  • Mandai Wildlife Group
  • Knowsley Safari
  • Longleat Safari Park

Research methodology

Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the zoo market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.

The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 5.0% is calculated from the resulting values.

The market is divided by type, by revenue source, by annual visitors, by ownership, by animal group. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.

Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.

Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.

Read the full research methodology

Frequently asked questions

How big is the zoo market?

The global zoo market is estimated at USD 22.0 bn in 2025 and USD 23.1 bn in 2026.

How fast will the zoo market grow?

It is forecast to reach USD 37.6 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 5.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 14.5 bn.

Which country is the largest market for zoo?

United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 6.0 bn in 2026, 26.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 55.0%.

Which country is growing fastest?

Among the ten largest markets, China is growing fastest at 7.2% a year from 2026 to 2036.

Which zoo segment is largest?

In the by type split, Zoological parks is the largest segment with 62.0% of 2026 revenue.

Who are the leading zoo companies?

Global leaders include Merlin Entertainments, United Parks & Resorts, Chimelong Group, Everland.

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