Chickens in France
France had 229 million chickens in 2024, the 21st largest in the world (0.83% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 5.7%. The record was 252 million head in 2013.
- Animals, 2024
- 229 million head
- World rank
- 21 of 179
- 10-year change
- −5.7%
- Record
- 252 million head
- 2013
Chickens in France, 1961–2024 (head)
France compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.83%
- 1.2% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −5.7%
- world +31%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Bolivia | 233,689,000 | 0.84% |
| 20 | Morocco | 233,000,000 | 0.84% |
| 21 | France | 229,317,000 | 0.83% |
| 22 | Colombia | 216,109,000 | 0.78% |
| 23 | Saudi Arabia | 212,409,000 | 0.77% |
Map of chickens numbers by country
Share of the world total; France is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 229,317,000 | +8.5% |
| 2023 | 211,370,000 | −8.5% |
| 2022 | 231,096,000 | −3.6% |
| 2021 | 239,840,000 | −0.9% |
| 2020 | 242,015,000 | +1.7% |
| 2019 | 237,864,000 | −0.6% |
| 2018 | 239,290,000 | −2.2% |
| 2017 | 244,774,000 | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 243,526,000 | −1.5% |
| 2015 | 247,298,000 | +1.7% |
| 2014 | 243,219,000 | −3.3% |
| 2013 | 251,581,000 | +4.3% |
| 2012 | 241,133,000 | +3.5% |
| 2011 | 232,910,000 | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 231,527,000 | +18% |
| 2009 | 196,608,000 | +2.0% |
| 2008 | 192,735,000 | +0.5% |
| 2007 | 191,724,000 | +5.0% |
| 2006 | 182,578,000 | −4.8% |
| 2005 | 191,732,000 | −2.9% |
| 2004 | 197,361,000 | −4.1% |
| 2003 | 205,732,000 | −2.4% |
| 2002 | 210,748,000 | −2.5% |
| 2001 | 216,177,000 | +0.9% |
| 2000 | 214,187,000 | −4.4% |
| 1999 | 223,939,000 | −4.0% |
| 1998 | 233,149,000 | +0.9% |
| 1997 | 231,143,000 | +2.0% |
| 1996 | 226,603,000 | +2.8% |
| 1995 | 220,499,000 | +0.6% |
| 1994 | 219,089,000 | +0.2% |
| 1993 | 218,752,000 | +2.2% |
| 1992 | 213,960,000 | +1.4% |
| 1991 | 211,104,000 | +8.7% |
| 1990 | 194,166,000 | −3.8% |
| 1989 | 201,808,000 | −4.4% |
| 1988 | 211,084,000 | +1.7% |
| 1987 | 207,544,000 | −0.5% |
| 1986 | 208,542,000 | −0.6% |
| 1985 | 209,759,000 | +13% |
| 1984 | 185,000,000 | −1.1% |
| 1983 | 187,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1982 | 187,000,000 | +0.6% |
| 1981 | 185,965,000 | +5.5% |
| 1980 | 176,290,000 | +4.2% |
| 1979 | 169,190,000 | −0.8% |
| 1978 | 170,546,000 | +0.9% |
| 1977 | 168,954,000 | +2.5% |
| 1976 | 164,755,000 | +0.2% |
| 1975 | 164,402,000 | +1.4% |
| 1974 | 162,064,000 | +2.6% |
| 1973 | 158,000,000 | +0.7% |
| 1972 | 156,848,000 | −3.6% |
| 1971 | 162,637,000 | −1.3% |
| 1970 | 164,756,000 | −0.4% |
| 1969 | 165,398,000 | +4.7% |
| 1968 | 158,000,000 | +14% |
| 1967 | 138,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1966 | 138,000,000 | −23% |
| 1965 | 180,000,000 | +2.9% |
| 1964 | 175,000,000 | +1.2% |
| 1963 | 173,000,000 | +1.8% |
| 1962 | 170,000,000 | +1.8% |
| 1961 | 167,000,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many chickens are there in France?
France had 229 million chickens in 2024, 0.83% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does France rank in the world by number of chickens?
France ranked 21st of 179 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in China with 18.9% of the world total.
How has the number of chickens in France changed?
It fell by 5.7% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +31% for the world. The record was 252 million head in 2013.
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.