FAOSTAT · 1961–2024
Bees in South Africa
South Africa had 72,470 bees in 2024, the 66th largest in the world (0.07% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 6.6%. This is the highest figure on record.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 72,470 head
- World rank
- 66 of 98
- 10-year change
- +6.6%
- Record
- 72,470 head
- 2024
Bees in South Africa, 1961–2024 (head)
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 72,470 | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 72,119 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 71,769 | +0.3% |
| 2021 | 71,529 | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 70,643 | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 70,515 | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 70,407 | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 70,230 | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 69,762 | +1.3% |
| 2015 | 68,850 | +1.3% |
| 2014 | 68,000 | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 68,000 | +1.5% |
| 2012 | 67,000 | 0.0% |
| 2011 | 67,000 | +3.1% |
| 2010 | 65,000 | 0.0% |
| 2009 | 65,000 | +8.3% |
| 2008 | 60,000 | 0.0% |
| 2007 | 60,000 | 0.0% |
| 2006 | 60,000 | 0.0% |
| 2005 | 60,000 | +15% |
| 2004 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 2003 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 2001 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 2000 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1999 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1998 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1997 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1996 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1995 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1994 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1993 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1992 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1991 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1990 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1989 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1988 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1987 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1986 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1985 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1984 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1983 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1982 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1981 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1980 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1979 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1978 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1977 | 52,000 | +2.0% |
| 1976 | 51,000 | 0.0% |
| 1975 | 51,000 | 0.0% |
| 1974 | 51,000 | 0.0% |
| 1973 | 51,000 | 0.0% |
| 1972 | 51,000 | −0.5% |
| 1971 | 51,250 | +0.5% |
| 1970 | 51,000 | +2.0% |
| 1969 | 50,000 | 0.0% |
| 1968 | 50,000 | 0.0% |
| 1967 | 50,000 | +4.2% |
| 1966 | 48,000 | 0.0% |
| 1965 | 48,000 | 0.0% |
| 1964 | 48,000 | +4.3% |
| 1963 | 46,000 | 0.0% |
| 1962 | 46,000 | +2.2% |
| 1961 | 45,000 | — |
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.