Sheep Population by country 2026 (Updated List)

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Sheep farming is an integral part of agriculture in many countries, providing essential resources such as wool, meat, and milk. The significance of sheep extends beyond their economic value, as they also play a crucial role in cultural practices and rural livelihoods. With a global population of 1.3 billion, sheep are a key indicator of agricultural health, reflecting the sustainability and productivity of farming practices worldwide. In this article, we will explore the countries with the highest sheep populations, delve into the historical trends of global sheep numbers, and analyze the factors influencing these trends.

Top 10 Countries with Most Sheep

  1. China: 194 million
  2. India: 75 million
  3. Australia: 70 million
  4. Iran: 56 million
  5. Nigeria: 50 million
  6. Chad: 45 million
  7. Türkiye: 45 million
  8. Sudan: 41 million
  9. Ethiopia: 35 million
  10. United Kingdom: 33 million
  • China: China leads the world in sheep population with approximately 194 million sheep. The country has a long history of sheep farming, primarily for wool and meat. Regions like Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang are key areas for sheep rearing, contributing significantly to the local economies and providing employment for millions. The diverse climate and vast grazing lands make China an ideal environment for various sheep breeds, ensuring a steady supply of sheep products for domestic and international markets.
  • India: India holds the second-largest sheep population globally, with around 75 million sheep. The sheep farming industry in India is predominantly small-scale, with sheep being raised for their meat, wool, and milk. States like Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana are the major hubs of sheep farming in the country. These regions have developed specialized breeding and farming techniques suited to their climatic conditions.
  • Australia: Australia, with its 70 million sheep, is renowned for its high-quality wool production, making it a major player in the global wool market. The vast, open landscapes of Australia provide ideal conditions for sheep farming. Australian Merino wool is particularly famous for its fine quality. The country’s efficient farming practices and advanced breeding programs ensure the production of top-quality wool and meat. Sheep farming in Australia is a vital industry, supporting rural economies and contributing significantly to the nation’s exports.
  • Iran: Iran’s sheep population stands at 56 million, making it a significant contributor to the country’s agricultural sector. Sheep farming is an integral part of Iran’s rural economy, with sheep being raised for meat, milk, and wool. The diverse climate across Iran supports various breeds adapted to different environments. Regions such as Khorasan and Fars are notable for their sheep farming activities.
  • Nigeria: Nigeria has a sheep population of about 50 million. Sheep farming in Nigeria is a crucial part of the agricultural sector, providing meat and other products to local markets. The arid and semi-arid regions of Nigeria, such as the northern states, are particularly suitable for sheep rearing. These regions benefit from traditional farming practices that have been passed down through generations.

Top 10 Countries with Highest Sheep Population per Capita

  1. Chad: 2.82 sheep per capita
  2. Australia: 2.81 sheep per capita
  3. Sudan: 0.94 sheep per capita
  4. Iran: 0.67 sheep per capita
  5. Türkiye: 0.53 sheep per capita
  6. United Kingdom: 0.49 sheep per capita
  7. Ethiopia: 0.29 sheep per capita
  8. Nigeria: 0.24 sheep per capita
  9. China: 0.13 sheep per capita
  10. India: 0.05 sheep per capita

These figures highlight the countries where sheep farming is particularly prominent relative to the population size.

Sheep population by Country (Full List)

# Country Sheep Population
1 China 194,030,298
2 India 75,345,847
3 Australia 70,234,655
4 Iran 55,582,000
5 Nigeria 50,284,350
6 Chad 45,081,553
7 Turkey 44,687,888
8 Sudan 41,332,641
9 Ethiopia 35,069,956
10 United Kingdom 33,066,000
11 Mongolia 32,747,682
12 Pakistan 31,969,000
13 Algeria 31,192,020
14 Kenya 25,814,057
15 New Zealand 25,333,562
16 Saudi Arabia 21,804,724
17 Morocco 21,800,556
18 Brazil 21,514,274
19 South Africa 21,432,364
20 Mali 20,158,662
21 Uzbekistan 19,938,000
22 Kazakhstan 19,483,297
23 Russia 19,148,212
24 Syria 17,847,163
25 Indonesia 15,615,300
26 Niger 14,627,232
27 South Sudan 14,563,459
28 Spain 14,452,590
29 Turkmenistan 14,281,484
30 Afghanistan 12,500,000
31 Argentina 12,461,845
32 Burkina Faso 11,260,981
33 Peru 11,210,723
34 Mauritania 11,002,788
35 Yemen 10,487,333
36 Romania 10,247,400
37 Somalia 10,241,518
38 Mexico 8,805,415
39 Senegal 7,972,868
40 Bolivia 7,592,484
41 Libya 7,546,329
42 Greece 7,378,400
43 Azerbaijan 7,170,828
44 Iraq 6,784,517
45 France 6,597,520
46 Italy 6,568,000
47 Tanzania 6,226,177
48 Tunisia 6,195,681
49 Uruguay 6,164,000
50 Ghana 5,845,718
51 Kyrgyzstan 5,515,593
52 United States 5,065,000
53 Tajikistan 4,175,661
54 Ireland 4,018,030
55 Cameroon 3,605,529
56 Guinea 3,507,606
57 Jordan 2,961,717
58 Benin 2,500,613
59 Eritrea 2,462,123
60 Ivory Coast 2,271,386
61 Portugal 2,269,280
62 Norway 2,253,000
63 United Arab Emirates 2,235,981
64 Uganda 2,192,607
65 Bangladesh 2,100,000
66 Egypt 2,083,708
67 Togo 1,991,392
68 Chile 1,830,249
69 Colombia 1,819,247
70 Serbia 1,720,826
71 Germany 1,516,900
72 Cuba 1,411,800
73 Albania 1,371,695
74 Namibia 1,342,289
75 Angola 1,193,529
76 Lesotho 1,142,162
77 Bulgaria 1,096,400
78 Sierra Leone 1,022,738
79 Bosnia and Herzegovina 997,046
80 DR Congo 917,265
81 Georgia 904,300
82 Hungary 871,700
83 Madagascar 851,112
84 Canada 822,200
85 Qatar 813,941
86 Palestine 777,883
87 Nepal 771,205
88 Netherlands 723,000
89 Kuwait 716,046
90 Burundi 713,807
91 Armenia 691,787
92 Oman 655,177
93 North Macedonia 646,488
94 Croatia 643,000
95 Venezuela 631,632
96 Guatemala 616,513
97 Ukraine 607,100
98 Ecuador 551,960
99 Israel 550,000
100 Guinea Bissau 485,107
101 Djibouti 470,014
102 Myanmar 450,000
103 Lebanon 443,461
104 Central African Republic 441,336
105 Moldova 433,800
106 Austria 400,660
107 Malawi 372,384
108 Iceland 365,290
109 Switzerland 355,893
110 Zimbabwe 354,008
111 Cyprus 343,400
112 Sweden 340,840
113 Rwanda 331,748
114 Paraguay 317,239
115 Slovakia 301,130
116 Liberia 294,112
117 Haiti 288,165
118 Poland 266,370
119 Zambia 260,560
120 Dominican Republic 260,130
121 Gabon 225,025
122 Gambia 179,185
123 Czech Republic 174,200
124 North Korea 167,159
125 Mozambique 164,002
126 Montenegro 161,376
127 Lithuania 135,640
128 Malaysia 135,560
129 Botswana 133,502
130 Denmark 132,510
131 Finland 132,080
132 Guyana 132,017
133 Congo 126,990
134 Slovenia 117,200
135 Belgium 110,120
136 Latvia 87,320
137 Belarus 78,700
138 Faeroe Islands 76,761
139 Estonia 63,100
140 Bahrain 62,300
141 Timor Leste 43,363
142 Equatorial Guinea 41,771
143 Thailand 40,534
144 Eswatini 37,623
145 Fiji 35,370
146 Philippines 30,000
147 Comoros 25,660
148 Cabo Verde 19,229
149 Honduras 16,902
150 Trinidad and Tobago 16,604
151 Belize 15,909
152 Japan 15,175
153 Malta 14,470
154 Grenada 13,919
155 Barbados 13,320
156 Sri Lanka 12,200
157 Saint Kitts and Nevis 12,000
158 Bhutan 10,024
159 Saint Lucia 9,145
160 Luxembourg 9,000
161 Dominica 8,387
162 Antigua and Barbuda 8,300
163 St Vincent and Grenadines 7,844
164 Papua New Guinea 7,288
165 Bahamas 6,605
166 Nicaragua 6,602
167 Puerto Rico 6,588
168 Suriname 6,005
169 El Salvador 5,644
170 Brunei 4,498
171 Mauritius 4,367
172 Sao Tome and Principe 3,329
173 Costa Rica 2,873
174 New Caledonia 2,263
175 Jamaica 1,304
176 South Korea 1,270
177 French Polynesia 441
178 Taiwan 176
179 Hong Kong 22

FAQs

  • What is the global sheep population?
    • The global sheep population is approximately 1.3 billion.
  • Which country has the highest number of sheep?
    • China has the highest number of sheep, with around 194 million.
  • Which country has the highest sheep population per capita?
    • Chad has the highest sheep population per capita, with 2.82 sheep per person.

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