Cattle in Ireland
Ireland had 6.3 million cattle in 2024, the 40th largest in the world (0.40% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 8.9%. The record was 7.4 million head in 2017.
- Animals, 2024
- 6.3 million head
- World rank
- 40 of 190
- 10-year change
- −8.9%
- Record
- 7.4 million head
- 2017
Cattle in Ireland, 1961–2024 (head)
Ireland compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.40%
- 0.48% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −8.9%
- world +9.7%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | Kazakhstan | 7,976,665 | 0.51% |
| 39 | Madagascar | 6,957,211 | 0.44% |
| 40 | Ireland | 6,308,300 | 0.40% |
| 41 | Vietnam | 6,212,203 | 0.39% |
| 42 | Poland | 6,190,930 | 0.39% |
Map of cattle numbers by country
Share of the world total; Ireland is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6,308,300 | −3.3% |
| 2023 | 6,525,960 | −0.4% |
| 2022 | 6,551,830 | −1.5% |
| 2021 | 6,649,310 | +1.8% |
| 2020 | 6,529,440 | −0.5% |
| 2019 | 6,559,650 | −0.5% |
| 2018 | 6,593,490 | −10% |
| 2017 | 7,363,498 | +2.0% |
| 2016 | 7,221,200 | +3.7% |
| 2015 | 6,963,500 | +0.5% |
| 2014 | 6,926,100 | +0.3% |
| 2013 | 6,902,600 | +2.2% |
| 2012 | 6,754,100 | +4.0% |
| 2011 | 6,493,000 | −1.7% |
| 2010 | 6,606,600 | −4.1% |
| 2009 | 6,890,700 | −0.2% |
| 2008 | 6,902,100 | +0.2% |
| 2007 | 6,890,900 | −1.2% |
| 2006 | 6,977,800 | −0.2% |
| 2005 | 6,991,800 | −0.3% |
| 2004 | 7,015,600 | +0.2% |
| 2003 | 6,999,500 | +0.1% |
| 2002 | 6,992,200 | −0.8% |
| 2001 | 7,049,700 | +0.2% |
| 2000 | 7,037,400 | +1.2% |
| 1999 | 6,951,700 | +1.0% |
| 1998 | 6,881,600 | +3.3% |
| 1997 | 6,660,900 | +3.3% |
| 1996 | 6,450,600 | +1.7% |
| 1995 | 6,343,900 | +1.3% |
| 1994 | 6,263,900 | +0.4% |
| 1993 | 6,236,400 | +1.4% |
| 1992 | 6,147,400 | +0.8% |
| 1991 | 6,100,500 | +2.2% |
| 1990 | 5,969,100 | +4.7% |
| 1989 | 5,698,700 | +1.2% |
| 1988 | 5,632,700 | −0.7% |
| 1987 | 5,670,300 | −2.5% |
| 1986 | 5,813,000 | −0.8% |
| 1985 | 5,860,900 | +0.5% |
| 1984 | 5,830,500 | +0.6% |
| 1983 | 5,795,200 | +0.6% |
| 1982 | 5,763,200 | −1.1% |
| 1981 | 5,825,500 | −5.6% |
| 1980 | 6,170,900 | +0.6% |
| 1979 | 6,132,100 | −1.8% |
| 1978 | 6,245,500 | +0.6% |
| 1977 | 6,210,000 | −0.1% |
| 1976 | 6,213,700 | −4.4% |
| 1975 | 6,499,600 | +1.4% |
| 1974 | 6,408,000 | +7.8% |
| 1973 | 5,945,700 | +7.8% |
| 1972 | 5,516,000 | +2.1% |
| 1971 | 5,405,000 | +3.4% |
| 1970 | 5,229,000 | +2.8% |
| 1969 | 5,086,300 | +1.1% |
| 1968 | 5,030,300 | −2.3% |
| 1967 | 5,149,900 | +4.1% |
| 1966 | 4,945,700 | +9.3% |
| 1965 | 4,524,200 | +3.6% |
| 1964 | 4,368,800 | +1.6% |
| 1963 | 4,300,600 | +2.9% |
| 1962 | 4,179,200 | −2.6% |
| 1961 | 4,291,200 | — |
Questions and answers
How many cattle are there in Ireland?
Ireland had 6.3 million cattle in 2024, 0.40% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Ireland rank in the world by number of cattle?
Ireland ranked 40th 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 Ireland changed?
It fell by 8.9% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +9.7% for the world. The record was 7.4 million head in 2017.
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.