Cattle in DR Congo
DR Congo had 2.0 million cattle in 2024, the 85th largest in the world (0.13% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 114%. This is the highest figure on record.
- Animals, 2024
- 2.0 million head
- World rank
- 85 of 190
- 10-year change
- +114%
- Record
- 2.0 million head
- 2024
Cattle in DR Congo, 1961–2024 (head)
DR Congo compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.13%
- 0.07% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +114%
- world +9.7%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 83 | Belgium | 2,153,430 | 0.14% |
| 84 | Iraq | 2,104,351 | 0.13% |
| 85 | DR Congo | 2,032,019 | 0.13% |
| 86 | Mauritania | 1,992,320 | 0.13% |
| 87 | Yemen | 1,971,664 | 0.12% |
Map of cattle numbers by country
Share of the world total; DR Congo is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,032,019 | +11% |
| 2023 | 1,832,468 | +11% |
| 2022 | 1,652,514 | +11% |
| 2021 | 1,490,234 | +11% |
| 2020 | 1,343,889 | +11% |
| 2019 | 1,211,912 | +5.9% |
| 2018 | 1,144,766 | +5.9% |
| 2017 | 1,080,993 | +3.5% |
| 2016 | 1,044,874 | +3.9% |
| 2015 | 1,005,385 | +5.9% |
| 2014 | 949,425 | +0.3% |
| 2013 | 946,585 | +6.0% |
| 2012 | 893,006 | +19% |
| 2011 | 748,349 | −0.2% |
| 2010 | 749,779 | −0.2% |
| 2009 | 751,200 | −0.2% |
| 2008 | 752,630 | −0.2% |
| 2007 | 754,060 | −0.2% |
| 2006 | 755,500 | −0.2% |
| 2005 | 756,940 | −0.2% |
| 2004 | 758,376 | −0.2% |
| 2003 | 759,820 | −0.2% |
| 2002 | 761,266 | −4.0% |
| 2001 | 792,986 | −3.6% |
| 2000 | 822,355 | −3.6% |
| 1999 | 852,812 | −3.2% |
| 1998 | 880,773 | −20% |
| 1997 | 1,102,289 | +4.0% |
| 1996 | 1,060,272 | −4.7% |
| 1995 | 1,113,140 | −1.2% |
| 1994 | 1,127,131 | −8.0% |
| 1993 | 1,225,482 | −11% |
| 1992 | 1,380,930 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 1,380,660 | −10% |
| 1990 | 1,534,700 | +3.4% |
| 1989 | 1,483,590 | +3.4% |
| 1988 | 1,434,190 | +3.4% |
| 1987 | 1,386,430 | +3.4% |
| 1986 | 1,340,260 | +3.4% |
| 1985 | 1,295,630 | +3.7% |
| 1984 | 1,250,000 | +2.0% |
| 1983 | 1,225,000 | +1.7% |
| 1982 | 1,205,000 | +2.2% |
| 1981 | 1,179,000 | +2.3% |
| 1980 | 1,152,000 | +0.5% |
| 1979 | 1,146,000 | +0.1% |
| 1978 | 1,145,100 | −0.3% |
| 1977 | 1,148,200 | +0.0% |
| 1976 | 1,147,700 | +1.2% |
| 1975 | 1,134,100 | +1.8% |
| 1974 | 1,114,400 | +2.8% |
| 1973 | 1,084,400 | +2.9% |
| 1972 | 1,053,500 | +2.9% |
| 1971 | 1,023,500 | +2.9% |
| 1970 | 994,300 | +12% |
| 1969 | 886,806 | +6.8% |
| 1968 | 830,585 | +3.6% |
| 1967 | 801,728 | +0.4% |
| 1966 | 798,793 | +4.3% |
| 1965 | 766,023 | −15% |
| 1964 | 901,390 | −3.1% |
| 1963 | 930,000 | −4.1% |
| 1962 | 970,000 | −3.0% |
| 1961 | 1,000,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many cattle are there in DR Congo?
DR Congo had 2.0 million cattle in 2024, 0.13% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does DR Congo rank in the world by number of cattle?
DR Congo ranked 85th 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 DR Congo changed?
It rose by 114% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +9.7% 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. 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.