Bees in Japan
Japan had 199,326 bees in 2024, the 46th largest in the world (0.20% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 4.9%. The record was 326,292 head in 1979.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 199,326 head
- World rank
- 46 of 98
- 10-year change
- +4.9%
- Record
- 326,292 head
- 1979
Bees in Japan, 1961–2024 (head)
Japan compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.20%
- 0.21% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +4.9%
- world +15%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | Moldova | 211,964 | 0.21% |
| 45 | Switzerland | 203,875 | 0.20% |
| 46 | Japan | 199,326 | 0.20% |
| 47 | Georgia | 192,700 | 0.19% |
| 48 | Armenia | 190,831 | 0.19% |
Map of bees numbers by country
Share of the world total; Japan is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 199,326 | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 198,415 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 197,503 | +0.5% |
| 2021 | 196,535 | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 194,774 | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 194,037 | +0.3% |
| 2018 | 193,440 | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 192,767 | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 191,825 | +0.4% |
| 2015 | 191,000 | +0.5% |
| 2014 | 190,000 | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 190,000 | 0.0% |
| 2012 | 190,000 | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 187,000 | 0.0% |
| 2010 | 187,000 | +1.1% |
| 2009 | 185,000 | +0.3% |
| 2008 | 184,500 | +0.3% |
| 2007 | 184,000 | +0.5% |
| 2006 | 183,000 | 0.0% |
| 2005 | 183,000 | 0.0% |
| 2004 | 183,000 | 0.0% |
| 2003 | 183,000 | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 183,000 | 0.0% |
| 2001 | 183,000 | −1.1% |
| 2000 | 185,000 | −1.9% |
| 1999 | 188,561 | −3.5% |
| 1998 | 195,352 | −2.2% |
| 1997 | 199,846 | −3.3% |
| 1996 | 206,746 | −3.4% |
| 1995 | 214,112 | −2.8% |
| 1994 | 220,234 | +2.0% |
| 1993 | 216,000 | −4.4% |
| 1992 | 226,000 | −5.0% |
| 1991 | 238,000 | −5.9% |
| 1990 | 253,000 | −2.1% |
| 1989 | 258,322 | −3.8% |
| 1988 | 268,655 | +2.9% |
| 1987 | 261,000 | −2.6% |
| 1986 | 268,000 | −6.0% |
| 1985 | 285,000 | −2.1% |
| 1984 | 291,000 | −2.7% |
| 1983 | 299,000 | −2.7% |
| 1982 | 307,334 | −2.6% |
| 1981 | 315,489 | −1.5% |
| 1980 | 320,171 | −1.9% |
| 1979 | 326,292 | +0.9% |
| 1978 | 323,253 | −0.9% |
| 1977 | 326,025 | +16% |
| 1976 | 280,000 | 0.0% |
| 1975 | 280,000 | −5.1% |
| 1974 | 295,000 | 0.0% |
| 1973 | 295,000 | +5.4% |
| 1972 | 280,000 | +0.4% |
| 1971 | 279,000 | +2.2% |
| 1970 | 273,000 | −3.6% |
| 1969 | 283,088 | +5.6% |
| 1968 | 268,000 | +5.1% |
| 1967 | 255,000 | +5.4% |
| 1966 | 242,000 | +1.3% |
| 1965 | 239,000 | +26% |
| 1964 | 190,000 | +0.5% |
| 1963 | 189,000 | +3.3% |
| 1962 | 183,000 | +35% |
| 1961 | 136,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many bees are there in Japan?
Japan had 199,326 bees in 2024, 0.20% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Japan rank in the world by number of bees?
Japan ranked 46th of 98 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in India with 12.4% of the world total.
How has the number of bees in Japan changed?
It rose by 4.9% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +15% for the world. The record was 326,292 head in 1979.
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 Japan 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.