Cattle in Ethiopia
Ethiopia had 71.9 million cattle in 2024, the 4th largest in the world (4.56% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 27%. This is the highest figure on record.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 71.9 million head
- World rank
- 4 of 190
- 10-year change
- +27%
- Record
- 71.9 million head
- 2024
Cattle in Ethiopia, 1993–2024 (head)
Ethiopia compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 4.6%
- 3.9% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +27%
- world +9.7%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | India | 194,753,479 | 12.3% |
| 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% |
Map of cattle numbers by country
Share of the world total; Ethiopia is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 71,916,930 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | 69,318,245 | +4.6% |
| 2022 | 66,260,987 | −2.7% |
| 2021 | 68,079,757 | −3.1% |
| 2020 | 70,291,776 | +7.6% |
| 2019 | 65,354,090 | +6.2% |
| 2018 | 61,510,258 | +1.9% |
| 2017 | 60,392,019 | +1.5% |
| 2016 | 59,486,667 | +2.9% |
| 2015 | 57,829,953 | +2.0% |
| 2014 | 56,706,389 | +3.1% |
| 2013 | 55,027,080 | +1.9% |
| 2012 | 53,990,060 | +3.6% |
| 2011 | 52,129,016 | −2.3% |
| 2010 | 53,382,192 | +4.9% |
| 2009 | 50,884,004 | +3.8% |
| 2008 | 49,000,000 | +3.0% |
| 2007 | 47,570,680 | +10% |
| 2006 | 43,124,584 | +6.8% |
| 2005 | 40,390,096 | +4.2% |
| 2004 | 38,749,312 | −0.6% |
| 2003 | 39,000,000 | −4.0% |
| 2002 | 40,638,800 | +15% |
| 2001 | 35,383,312 | +7.0% |
| 2000 | 33,075,330 | −5.8% |
| 1999 | 35,095,232 | −0.8% |
| 1998 | 35,371,768 | +8.5% |
| 1997 | 32,612,350 | +4.5% |
| 1996 | 31,207,040 | +4.6% |
| 1995 | 29,825,030 | +1.3% |
| 1994 | 29,450,000 | 0.0% |
| 1993 | 29,450,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many cattle are there in Ethiopia?
Ethiopia had 71.9 million cattle in 2024, 4.6% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Ethiopia rank in the world by number of cattle?
Ethiopia ranked 4th 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 Ethiopia changed?
It rose by 27% 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; the 2024 figure for Ethiopia 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.