Bees in India
India had 12.6 million bees in 2024, the largest total in the world (12.4% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 7.2%. This is the highest figure on record.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 12.6 million head
- World rank
- 1 of 98
- 10-year change
- +7.2%
- Record
- 12.6 million head
- 2024
Bees in India, 1961–2024 (head)
India compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 12.4%
- 13.3% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +7.2%
- world +15%
Position in the world ranking
Map of bees numbers by country
Share of the world total; India is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12,649,433 | +0.6% |
| 2023 | 12,575,693 | +0.6% |
| 2022 | 12,501,953 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | 12,425,260 | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 12,242,158 | +0.1% |
| 2019 | 12,232,670 | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 12,206,580 | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 12,166,387 | +0.9% |
| 2016 | 12,054,576 | +1.1% |
| 2015 | 11,928,704 | +1.1% |
| 2014 | 11,800,000 | +1.7% |
| 2013 | 11,600,000 | +0.4% |
| 2012 | 11,550,000 | +0.4% |
| 2011 | 11,500,000 | 0.0% |
| 2010 | 11,500,000 | +8.5% |
| 2009 | 10,600,000 | 0.0% |
| 2008 | 10,600,000 | +8.2% |
| 2007 | 9,800,000 | 0.0% |
| 2006 | 9,800,000 | 0.0% |
| 2005 | 9,800,000 | 0.0% |
| 2004 | 9,800,000 | 0.0% |
| 2003 | 9,800,000 | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 9,800,000 | 0.0% |
| 2001 | 9,800,000 | 0.0% |
| 2000 | 9,800,000 | +1.0% |
| 1999 | 9,700,000 | 0.0% |
| 1998 | 9,700,000 | 0.0% |
| 1997 | 9,700,000 | −1.0% |
| 1996 | 9,800,000 | +1.0% |
| 1995 | 9,700,000 | 0.0% |
| 1994 | 9,700,000 | 0.0% |
| 1993 | 9,700,000 | 0.0% |
| 1992 | 9,700,000 | +1.0% |
| 1991 | 9,600,000 | 0.0% |
| 1990 | 9,600,000 | +1.1% |
| 1989 | 9,500,000 | −2.1% |
| 1988 | 9,700,000 | +3.2% |
| 1987 | 9,400,000 | −1.1% |
| 1986 | 9,500,000 | 0.0% |
| 1985 | 9,500,000 | −1.0% |
| 1984 | 9,600,000 | +1.1% |
| 1983 | 9,500,000 | +1.1% |
| 1982 | 9,400,000 | +4.4% |
| 1981 | 9,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1980 | 9,000,000 | +5.9% |
| 1979 | 8,500,000 | +2.4% |
| 1978 | 8,300,000 | 0.0% |
| 1977 | 8,300,000 | 0.0% |
| 1976 | 8,300,000 | −1.2% |
| 1975 | 8,400,000 | +1.2% |
| 1974 | 8,300,000 | 0.0% |
| 1973 | 8,300,000 | +3.8% |
| 1972 | 8,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1971 | 8,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1970 | 8,000,000 | +6.7% |
| 1969 | 7,500,000 | 0.0% |
| 1968 | 7,500,000 | 0.0% |
| 1967 | 7,500,000 | 0.0% |
| 1966 | 7,500,000 | +19% |
| 1965 | 6,300,000 | +26% |
| 1964 | 5,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1963 | 5,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1962 | 5,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1961 | 5,000,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many bees are there in India?
India had 12.6 million bees in 2024, 12.4% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does India rank in the world by number of bees?
India was the world’s largest herd in 2024, ahead of China.
How has the number of bees in India changed?
It rose by 7.2% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +15% for the world. 2024 was the highest figure on record.
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 India is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
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.