Cattle in China
China had 70.3 million cattle in 2024, the 5th largest in the world (4.45% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 12%. The record was 109 million head in 1996.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 70.3 million head
- World rank
- 5 of 190
- 10-year change
- +12%
- Record
- 109 million head
- 1996
Cattle in China, 1961–2024 (head)
China compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 4.5%
- 4.4% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +12%
- world +9.7%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | United States | 87,157,400 | 5.5% |
| 4 | Ethiopia | 71,916,930 | 4.6% |
| 5 | China | 70,325,500 | 4.5% |
| 6 | Pakistan | 57,541,000 | 3.6% |
| 7 | Argentina | 52,783,892 | 3.3% |
Map of cattle numbers by country
Share of the world total; China is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 70,325,500 | −4.4% |
| 2023 | 73,559,570 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | 71,510,950 | +4.1% |
| 2021 | 68,720,750 | +2.7% |
| 2020 | 66,934,420 | +4.6% |
| 2019 | 63,967,890 | +1.1% |
| 2018 | 63,271,250 | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 61,841,430 | −2.4% |
| 2016 | 63,390,530 | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 63,050,960 | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 62,900,320 | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 62,900,320 | −1.7% |
| 2012 | 63,960,750 | −2.6% |
| 2011 | 65,688,000 | −4.4% |
| 2010 | 68,739,790 | −2.2% |
| 2009 | 70,251,020 | −15% |
| 2008 | 82,680,000 | +0.9% |
| 2007 | 81,934,000 | −6.3% |
| 2006 | 87,413,000 | −2.9% |
| 2005 | 89,993,000 | −2.2% |
| 2004 | 92,062,000 | −1.0% |
| 2003 | 92,954,000 | −2.6% |
| 2002 | 95,408,000 | −5.3% |
| 2001 | 100,774,000 | −3.5% |
| 2000 | 104,396,000 | +2.6% |
| 1999 | 101,754,000 | +2.5% |
| 1998 | 99,277,000 | +9.5% |
| 1997 | 90,682,000 | −17% |
| 1996 | 108,760,000 | +8.3% |
| 1995 | 100,405,000 | +11% |
| 1994 | 90,757,000 | +6.0% |
| 1993 | 85,640,000 | +3.7% |
| 1992 | 82,587,000 | +1.7% |
| 1991 | 81,194,000 | +4.4% |
| 1990 | 77,769,856 | +2.2% |
| 1989 | 76,114,200 | +4.1% |
| 1988 | 73,088,800 | +3.2% |
| 1987 | 70,847,008 | +5.9% |
| 1986 | 66,886,000 | +6.8% |
| 1985 | 62,622,000 | +6.3% |
| 1984 | 58,935,008 | +3.5% |
| 1983 | 56,926,000 | +5.7% |
| 1982 | 53,833,008 | +2.5% |
| 1981 | 52,515,008 | +0.2% |
| 1980 | 52,411,008 | −0.2% |
| 1979 | 52,528,000 | −0.4% |
| 1978 | 52,723,008 | −2.0% |
| 1977 | 53,825,008 | −3.1% |
| 1976 | 55,547,008 | −1.8% |
| 1975 | 56,554,000 | −0.2% |
| 1974 | 56,676,000 | −0.6% |
| 1973 | 57,000,000 | −0.8% |
| 1972 | 57,486,000 | −0.0% |
| 1971 | 57,500,000 | 0.0% |
| 1970 | 57,500,000 | −0.4% |
| 1969 | 57,720,000 | +1.5% |
| 1968 | 56,860,000 | +1.6% |
| 1967 | 55,950,000 | +4.4% |
| 1966 | 53,573,008 | +2.2% |
| 1965 | 52,420,000 | +7.1% |
| 1964 | 48,940,000 | +3.3% |
| 1963 | 47,360,000 | +1.3% |
| 1962 | 46,760,000 | −5.3% |
| 1961 | 49,400,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many cattle are there in China?
China had 70.3 million cattle in 2024, 4.5% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does China rank in the world by number of cattle?
China ranked 5th of 190 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in Brazil with 15.1% of the world total.
How has the number of cattle in China changed?
It rose by 12% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +9.7% for the world. The record was 109 million head in 1996.
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 China 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.