Demand Under the Ban -- China Ivory Consumption Research 2019

The report finds that while the 2017 ivory ban significantly reduced purchase rates compared to pre-ban levels, demand remains persistent among 'Diehard Buyers' and regular overseas travelers. By 2019, self-reported ivory purchase in the past 12 months rose to 17% from 14% in 2018. The study identifies three consumer segments: Rejectors, Ban Influenced Citizens, and Diehard Buyers, noting that the latter are increasingly likely to purchase ivory in the future. Overseas travel to Thailand, Hong Kong SAR, and Cambodia is a primary channel for ivory acquisition. Awareness of the ban is high when prompted, and conservation campaigns are generally viewed positively, though they are less effective at persuading the most persistent buyers.

• Self-reported ivory purchase in the past 12 months in 2019 was 17%, which is significantly lower than the 31% reported pre-ban in 2017, but represents an increase from 14% in 2018.
• The report identifies three distinct consumer segments: 'Rejectors' (least likely to buy), 'Ban Influenced Citizens' (whose decisions are strongly shaped by the ban), and 'Diehard Buyers' (most persistent and least likely to be swayed).
• Diehard Buyers are typically male, have high income and education, travel overseas regularly, and show an increasing intention to purchase ivory in the future despite the ban.
• Regular overseas travelers are the only group with reported ivory purchase rates in 2019 that are higher than pre-ban levels in 2017.
• Thailand, Hong Kong SAR, and Cambodia are the top three destinations for Chinese consumers purchasing ivory abroad, with Cambodia showing a relatively higher proportion of buyers relative to the number of tourists it receives.
• While 85% of respondents believe ivory sale in China is illegal, spontaneous awareness of the specific 2017 ban remains low at 7%, though prompted awareness increased to 48% in 2019.
• The strongest deterrents to ivory purchase are concerns regarding elephant extinction and animal cruelty, while the primary drivers are the perceived artistic value and uniqueness of the material.
• Awareness of conservation campaigns is highest among Diehard Buyers and regular overseas travelers, and these groups generally react positively to the messaging, although Diehard Buyers remain determined to buy.
• In Hangzhou, ivory purchase rates are lower than the 15-city average, but the intention to purchase ivory in the future is higher, suggesting the city may be an emerging ivory trade hub.

APA

Meijer, W., Bergin, D., Wu, D., Cheng, T., Yang, C., & Kritski, E. (2019). Demand Under the Ban -- China Ivory Consumption Research 2019. WWF International. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/509/1kaa8frt6d_Demand_Under_the_Ban___China_Ivory_Consumption_Research_2019_FINAL.pdf

Chicago

Meijer, Wander, Daniel Bergin, Derek Wu, Timothy Cheng, Crystal Yang, and Eugene Kritski. Demand Under the Ban -- China Ivory Consumption Research 2019. WWF International, 2019. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/509/1kaa8frt6d_Demand_Under_the_Ban___China_Ivory_Consumption_Research_2019_FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Meijer |first1=Wander |last2=Bergin |first2=Daniel |last3=Wu |first3=Derek |last4=Cheng |first4=Timothy |last5=Yang |first5=Crystal |last6=Kritski |first6=Eugene |title=Demand Under the Ban -- China Ivory Consumption Research 2019 |publisher=WWF International |date=September 2019 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/509/1kaa8frt6d_Demand_Under_the_Ban___China_Ivory_Consumption_Research_2019_FINAL.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{meijer2019demand, author = {Meijer, Wander and Bergin, Daniel and Wu, Derek and Cheng, Timothy and Yang, Crystal and Kritski, Eugene}, title = {{Demand Under the Ban -- China Ivory Consumption Research 2019}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2019}, month = sep, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/509/1kaa8frt6d_Demand_Under_the_Ban___China_Ivory_Consumption_Research_2019_FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }