Asses in South Africa
South Africa had 142,579 asses in 2024, the 30th largest in the world (0.26% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 8.6%. The record was 345,000 head in 1961.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 142,579 head
- World rank
- 30 of 104
- 10-year change
- −8.6%
- Record
- 345,000 head
- 1961
Asses in South Africa, 1961–2024 (head)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.26%
- 0.33% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −8.6%
- world +13%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Haiti | 160,213 | 0.30% |
| 29 | Dominican Republic | 158,278 | 0.29% |
| 30 | South Africa | 142,579 | 0.26% |
| 31 | Lesotho | 141,951 | 0.26% |
| 32 | Tajikistan | 115,836 | 0.21% |
Map of asses numbers by country
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 142,579 | −0.1% |
| 2023 | 142,768 | −0.1% |
| 2022 | 142,956 | +0.3% |
| 2021 | 142,536 | +1.8% |
| 2020 | 139,951 | −1.9% |
| 2019 | 142,596 | −2.1% |
| 2018 | 145,588 | −2.0% |
| 2017 | 148,587 | −1.9% |
| 2016 | 151,457 | −1.7% |
| 2015 | 154,079 | −1.2% |
| 2014 | 156,000 | +0.3% |
| 2013 | 155,500 | +2.0% |
| 2012 | 152,500 | 0.0% |
| 2011 | 152,500 | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 152,000 | +1.0% |
| 2009 | 150,500 | 0.0% |
| 2008 | 150,500 | 0.0% |
| 2007 | 150,500 | +0.3% |
| 2006 | 150,000 | 0.0% |
| 2005 | 150,000 | 0.0% |
| 2004 | 150,000 | 0.0% |
| 2003 | 150,000 | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 150,000 | 0.0% |
| 2001 | 150,000 | 0.0% |
| 2000 | 150,000 | −29% |
| 1999 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1998 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1997 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1996 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1995 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1994 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1993 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1992 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1991 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1990 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1989 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1988 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1987 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1986 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1985 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1984 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1983 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1982 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1981 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1980 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1979 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1978 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1977 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1976 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1975 | 210,000 | 0.0% |
| 1974 | 210,000 | −1.4% |
| 1973 | 213,000 | −0.9% |
| 1972 | 215,000 | +2.4% |
| 1971 | 210,000 | −2.3% |
| 1970 | 215,000 | −6.5% |
| 1969 | 230,000 | −8.0% |
| 1968 | 250,000 | −11% |
| 1967 | 280,000 | −9.7% |
| 1966 | 310,000 | −6.1% |
| 1965 | 330,000 | −1.5% |
| 1964 | 335,000 | −1.5% |
| 1963 | 340,000 | −0.9% |
| 1962 | 343,000 | −0.6% |
| 1961 | 345,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many asses are there in South Africa?
South Africa had 142,579 asses in 2024, 0.26% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world by number of asses?
South Africa ranked 30th of 104 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in Ethiopia with 20.0% of the world total.
How has the number of asses in South Africa changed?
It fell by 8.6% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +13% for the world. The record was 345,000 head in 1961.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2024 figure for South Africa is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.