Pig Population by Country (Latest Rankings)

Pigs play a significant role in agriculture and the global food industry. As one of the most domesticated animals, their population is a critical indicator of livestock production and agricultural trends. The global pig population stands at approximately 1 billion, reflecting their importance in various cultural and economic contexts. This article explores the distribution of pigs across different countries, highlighting the top pig-rearing nations and providing insights into the trends and statistics of pig populations worldwide.

Pigs are known for their intelligence and social behavior, making them unique among livestock animals. The global pig population is around 1 billion, with a substantial concentration in specific regions. Interestingly, China is the largest pig-rearing country, contributing nearly half of the global pig population. Pigs are also essential for the economy in many countries, influencing agricultural practices and food industries worldwide. Understanding the distribution and trends of pig populations can provide valuable insights into global agricultural dynamics.

Top 10 Countries with Most Pigs

China: 452.6 million
USA: 74.4 million
Brazil: 44.4 million
Spain: 34.1 million
Russia: 26.2 million
Vietnam: 24.7 million
Germany: 21.4 million
Mexico: 19.2 million
Canada: 14.2 million
France: 12.1 million

China leads the world in pig population, with an astounding 452.6 million pigs. The country’s robust pig farming industry is driven by high domestic demand for pork, a staple in Chinese cuisine. China’s advanced breeding techniques and large-scale farming operations significantly contribute to its dominant position in global pig production. Following China, the USA ranks second with 74.4 million pigs. American pig farming is highly industrialized, with large-scale operations focusing on efficiency and productivity. The country’s significant pork exports also play a vital role in its agricultural economy, making pig farming a key sector in the USA.

Brazil holds the third spot with 44.4 million pigs. The country’s pig farming industry has seen substantial growth due to increasing domestic and international demand for pork. Brazil’s favorable climate and abundant agricultural resources support large-scale pig farming operations, contributing to its high pig population. Spain ranks fourth with 34.1 million pigs. The country’s pig farming industry is known for its high-quality pork products, including famous Spanish hams. Spain’s pig farming practices combine traditional methods with modern technology, ensuring efficient and sustainable production.

Top 10 Countries with Highest Pig Population Per Capita

Denmark: 197 pigs per 100 people
Spain: 73 pigs per 100 people
Netherlands: 62 pigs per 100 people
Germany: 26 pigs per 100 people
Vietnam: 25 pigs per 100 people
USA: 22 pigs per 100 people
Brazil: 21 pigs per 100 people
France: 18 pigs per 100 people
Canada: 37 pigs per 100 people
Poland: 25 pigs per 100 people

Denmark tops the list with the highest pig population per capita, reflecting the country’s significant focus on pig farming with 197 pigs per 100 people. Other European countries like Spain (73 pigs per 100 people), the Netherlands (62 pigs per 100 people), and Germany (26 pigs per 100 people) also feature prominently due to their advanced agricultural practices and high pork consumption rates. This trend highlights the importance of pig farming in both domestic food supply and export markets, demonstrating how these nations prioritize efficient and large-scale pig production.

Pig Population Over the Years

The global pig population has experienced various fluctuations from 1961 to 2022. Initially, the population steadily increased due to advancements in farming techniques and rising demand for pork. However, certain periods saw declines due to disease outbreaks, economic challenges, and changing dietary preferences. Recent years have shown a recovery and stabilization of the pig population, driven by improving farm management practices and growing global demand for pork products.

Pig Population by Country (Full List)

#	Country	Pig Population
1	China	452,560,000
2	United States	74,399,300
3	Brazil	44,393,930
4	Spain	34,073,380
5	Russia	26,192,944
6	Vietnam	24,684,900
7	Germany	21,366,300
8	Mexico	19,224,000
9	Canada	14,170,000
10	France	12,182,590
11	Denmark	11,541,000
12	South Korea	11,110,726
13	Netherlands	10,706,000
14	Colombia	9,658,204
15	Poland	9,624,250
16	Nigeria	9,509,551
17	Philippines	9,426,092
18	Japan	8,949,000
19	Italy	8,739,000
20	India	8,529,366
21	Malawi	8,068,474
22	Thailand	7,728,223
23	Indonesia	7,280,310
24	Myanmar	7,000,000
25	Belgium	5,751,180
26	Ukraine	5,608,800
27	Argentina	5,569,077
28	Taiwan	5,405,196
29	United Kingdom	5,192,000
30	Laos	4,408,000
31	Angola	3,553,953
32	Peru	3,455,032
33	Romania	3,328,700
34	Venezuela	3,193,425
35	Bolivia	3,176,164
36	Guatemala	2,995,429
37	Chile	2,767,236
38	Serbia	2,666,983
39	Austria	2,650,150
40	Uganda	2,630,074
41	Australia	2,598,124
42	Hungary	2,558,100
43	Belarus	2,512,600
44	North Korea	2,412,979
45	Mozambique	2,319,450
46	Portugal	2,183,320
47	Cameroon	2,180,139
48	Papua New Guinea	2,121,456
49	Cambodia	2,015,948
50	Burkina Faso	1,776,384
51	Madagascar	1,747,200
52	Malaysia	1,665,560
53	Ireland	1,570,390
54	Nepal	1,504,624
55	Cuba	1,456,200
56	Sweden	1,416,270
57	Switzerland	1,372,772
58	Czechia	1,328,820
59	South Africa	1,323,370
60	Paraguay	1,302,282
61	Zambia	1,160,842
62	Togo	1,151,925
63	Central African Republic	1,069,246
64	Haiti	1,030,732
65	DR Congo	1,005,091
66	Finland	997,670
67	Dominican Republic	968,619
68	Burundi	962,472
69	Croatia	945,000
70	Ecuador	943,249
71	Benin	910,477
72	Ghana	846,058
73	Rwanda	786,191
74	Norway	773,800
75	Greece	741,600
76	Kazakhstan	705,039
77	Kenya	639,883
78	Nicaragua	627,012
79	Bulgaria	601,700
80	Tanzania	531,080
81	Lithuania	517,420
82	Senegal	486,749
83	Bosnia and Herzegovina	471,555
84	Guinea Bissau	465,153
85	Honduras	457,444
86	Ivory Coast	427,097
87	Panama	417,553
88	Costa Rica	407,235
89	Slovakia	380,900
90	Moldova	347,900
91	Timor Leste	340,643
92	Cyprus	330,870
93	Latvia	307,950
94	Liberia	293,739
95	New Zealand	275,291
96	Estonia	269,380
97	Sierra Leone	241,784
98	Zimbabwe	237,493
99	Gabon	224,462
100	Jamaica	219,244
101	Slovenia	202,150
102	North Macedonia	182,604
103	Guinea	169,834
104	Armenia	166,095
105	El Salvador	165,418
106	Uruguay	161,000
107	Fiji	155,770
108	Georgia	152,900
109	Israel	139,543
110	Albania	137,304
111	Chad	113,580
112	Hong Kong	112,883
113	Namibia	110,051
114	Congo	102,858
115	Sri Lanka	100,250
116	Samoa	97,012
117	Mali	87,220
118	Tonga	84,626
119	Vanuatu	78,928
120	Cabo Verde	71,617
121	Luxembourg	66,410
122	Solomon Islands	55,505
123	Sao Tome and Principe	45,983
124	Uzbekistan	45,166
125	Puerto Rico	44,163
126	Niger	43,689
127	Micronesia	38,646
128	Ethiopia	36,918
129	New Caledonia	36,863
130	Eswatini	36,842
131	Suriname	35,385
132	Mongolia	34,798
133	Bhutan	33,082
134	Lesotho	32,583
135	Trinidad and Tobago	31,239
136	French Polynesia	29,689
137	Malta	29,550
138	Iceland	26,000
139	Kyrgyzstan	25,640
140	Montenegro	24,514
141	Barbados	24,000
142	Cook Islands	24,000
143	Belize	22,745
144	Mauritius	21,484
145	Egypt	21,000
146	Kiribati	15,153
147	Gambia	15,063
148	Tuvalu	14,674
149	Saint Lucia	10,000
150	Guyana	9,796
151	Morocco	7,895
152	Seychelles	7,800
153	Turkmenistan	7,753
154	Equatorial Guinea	7,362
155	Lebanon	7,093
156	St Vincent and Grenadines	5,734
157	Antigua and Barbuda	5,386
158	Tunisia	5,336
159	Azerbaijan	5,130
160	Dominica	5,061
161	Bahamas	5,027
162	Algeria	4,718
163	Somalia	3,785
164	Tokelau	3,591
165	Saint Kitts and Nevis	3,300
166	Nauru	3,030
167	Grenada	2,798
168	Niue	2,320
169	Turkey	1,648
170	Botswana	1,375
171	Brunei	963
172	Tajikistan	103
173	Syria	33

The distribution and trends of pig populations across countries reveal significant insights into global agricultural practices and economic priorities. Understanding these dynamics can help in making informed decisions for sustainable livestock management and food production strategies. As the global pig population continues to evolve, monitoring these trends will be crucial for ensuring food security and economic stability in the agricultural sector.

FAQs

Which country has the highest pig population?
- China has the highest pig population, with approximately 452.6 million pigs.
What is the global pig population?
- The global pig population is around 1 billion.
Which country has the highest pig population per capita?
- Denmark: 197 pigs per 100 people

Source

FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Pig Population by Country 2026 (Updated List)