How many puppets are there in the world?

There's no evidence to accurately quantify the precise number of puppets globally. Puppetry forms vary, such as marionettes, hand puppets, shadow puppets, rod puppets, glove puppets, among others, in diverse communities and regions worldwide. Puppet traditions extend over thousands of years, so determining a specific count becomes incredibly intricate. The world of puppetry spans traditional folk forms, cultural customs, contemporary theatre companies, professional puppeteers, hobbyists, and educational institutions, each nurturing puppet art in varied capacities. Therefore, it's impossible to ascertain a definite count.