Bees in South Korea
South Korea had 2.1 million bees in 2024, the 11th largest in the world (2.09% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 9.1%. The record was 2.2 million head in 2016.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 2.1 million head
- World rank
- 11 of 98
- 10-year change
- +9.1%
- Record
- 2.2 million head
- 2016
Bees in South Korea, 1961–2024 (head)
South Korea compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 2.1%
- 2.2% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +9.1%
- world +15%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | United States | 2,597,000 | 2.6% |
| 10 | Mexico | 2,139,447 | 2.1% |
| 11 | South Korea | 2,130,691 | 2.1% |
| 12 | Kenya | 1,866,340 | 1.8% |
| 13 | Central African Republic | 1,669,941 | 1.6% |
Map of bees numbers by country
Share of the world total; South Korea is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,130,691 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | 2,094,563 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | 2,055,690 | +1.2% |
| 2021 | 2,031,211 | −0.1% |
| 2020 | 2,033,472 | +1.3% |
| 2019 | 2,007,654 | +1.9% |
| 2018 | 1,970,124 | −2.4% |
| 2017 | 2,018,291 | −6.4% |
| 2016 | 2,155,180 | +9.8% |
| 2015 | 1,962,989 | +0.5% |
| 2014 | 1,952,962 | +11% |
| 2013 | 1,756,993 | −2.1% |
| 2012 | 1,795,197 | +17% |
| 2011 | 1,531,609 | −9.8% |
| 2010 | 1,697,847 | −15% |
| 2009 | 1,988,021 | +7.0% |
| 2008 | 1,858,574 | −1.6% |
| 2007 | 1,889,514 | −4.4% |
| 2006 | 1,976,121 | −5.4% |
| 2005 | 2,089,762 | +3.8% |
| 2004 | 2,012,734 | +7.5% |
| 2003 | 1,871,648 | +5.6% |
| 2002 | 1,772,458 | +16% |
| 2001 | 1,530,176 | +23% |
| 2000 | 1,240,486 | +15% |
| 1999 | 1,080,887 | +14% |
| 1998 | 946,805 | −5.9% |
| 1997 | 1,005,919 | +40% |
| 1996 | 719,224 | −5.9% |
| 1995 | 764,243 | +15% |
| 1994 | 662,678 | +3.5% |
| 1993 | 640,311 | +7.3% |
| 1992 | 596,512 | +12% |
| 1991 | 532,826 | +1.2% |
| 1990 | 526,603 | −17% |
| 1989 | 636,094 | +8.8% |
| 1988 | 584,443 | +9.4% |
| 1987 | 534,391 | +2.6% |
| 1986 | 520,962 | +12% |
| 1985 | 467,062 | +3.5% |
| 1984 | 451,334 | +1.7% |
| 1983 | 443,853 | +12% |
| 1982 | 395,307 | +26% |
| 1981 | 314,694 | +29% |
| 1980 | 244,764 | −5.9% |
| 1979 | 260,102 | +9.1% |
| 1978 | 238,356 | +50% |
| 1977 | 159,354 | +5.6% |
| 1976 | 150,955 | −4.3% |
| 1975 | 157,800 | +26% |
| 1974 | 125,400 | +19% |
| 1973 | 105,271 | +5.4% |
| 1972 | 99,900 | −9.2% |
| 1971 | 110,000 | −1.6% |
| 1970 | 111,817 | −10% |
| 1969 | 124,555 | −1.7% |
| 1968 | 126,713 | −3.1% |
| 1967 | 130,802 | +5.6% |
| 1966 | 123,848 | +21% |
| 1965 | 102,000 | −7.9% |
| 1964 | 110,707 | −21% |
| 1963 | 140,594 | +12% |
| 1962 | 125,266 | +8.7% |
| 1961 | 115,213 | — |
Questions and answers
How many bees are there in South Korea?
South Korea had 2.1 million bees in 2024, 2.1% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Korea rank in the world by number of bees?
South Korea ranked 11th 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 South Korea changed?
It rose by 9.1% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +15% for the world. The record was 2.2 million head in 2016.
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 Korea is estimated 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.