Chickens in North Korea
North Korea had 12.0 million chickens in 2024, the 107th largest in the world (0.04% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 21%. The record was 21.7 million head in 1991.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 12.0 million head
- World rank
- 107 of 179
- 10-year change
- −21%
- Record
- 21.7 million head
- 1991
Chickens in North Korea, 1961–2024 (head)
North Korea compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.04%
- 0.07% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −21%
- world +31%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 105 | Switzerland | 13,168,000 | 0.05% |
| 106 | Cambodia | 12,995,000 | 0.05% |
| 107 | North Korea | 12,015,000 | 0.04% |
| 108 | Tajikistan | 11,877,000 | 0.04% |
| 109 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 11,523,000 | 0.04% |
Map of chickens numbers by country
Share of the world total; North Korea is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12,015,000 | −0.0% |
| 2023 | 12,016,000 | −3.7% |
| 2022 | 12,478,000 | −27% |
| 2021 | 17,152,000 | +2.8% |
| 2020 | 16,683,000 | +5.8% |
| 2019 | 15,770,000 | +4.3% |
| 2018 | 15,121,000 | −1.8% |
| 2017 | 15,393,000 | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 15,322,000 | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 15,311,000 | +0.1% |
| 2014 | 15,300,000 | −0.1% |
| 2013 | 15,309,000 | −9.1% |
| 2012 | 16,847,000 | −3.7% |
| 2011 | 17,500,000 | +5.6% |
| 2010 | 16,569,000 | +8.9% |
| 2009 | 15,214,000 | −2.1% |
| 2008 | 15,548,000 | +3.7% |
| 2007 | 15,000,000 | −6.3% |
| 2006 | 16,000,000 | −16% |
| 2005 | 19,000,000 | −6.4% |
| 2004 | 20,309,000 | +1.8% |
| 2003 | 19,958,000 | +7.8% |
| 2002 | 18,506,000 | +9.5% |
| 2001 | 16,894,000 | +7.4% |
| 2000 | 15,733,000 | +40% |
| 1999 | 11,200,000 | +19% |
| 1998 | 9,427,000 | +19% |
| 1997 | 7,904,000 | −16% |
| 1996 | 9,425,000 | +6.2% |
| 1995 | 8,871,000 | −17% |
| 1994 | 10,627,000 | −24% |
| 1993 | 14,000,000 | −18% |
| 1992 | 17,000,000 | −22% |
| 1991 | 21,742,000 | +3.5% |
| 1990 | 21,000,000 | +5.0% |
| 1989 | 20,000,000 | +2.6% |
| 1988 | 19,500,000 | +2.6% |
| 1987 | 19,000,000 | +2.2% |
| 1986 | 18,600,000 | +0.8% |
| 1985 | 18,450,000 | +0.8% |
| 1984 | 18,300,000 | +0.8% |
| 1983 | 18,150,000 | +0.3% |
| 1982 | 18,100,000 | +0.3% |
| 1981 | 18,050,000 | +0.6% |
| 1980 | 17,950,000 | +0.6% |
| 1979 | 17,850,000 | +0.6% |
| 1978 | 17,750,000 | +0.7% |
| 1977 | 17,632,000 | +1.8% |
| 1976 | 17,316,000 | +1.9% |
| 1975 | 17,000,000 | +3.0% |
| 1974 | 16,500,000 | +3.1% |
| 1973 | 16,000,000 | +3.2% |
| 1972 | 15,500,000 | +3.3% |
| 1971 | 15,000,000 | +3.4% |
| 1970 | 14,500,000 | +3.6% |
| 1969 | 14,000,000 | +6.1% |
| 1968 | 13,200,000 | 0.0% |
| 1967 | 13,200,000 | +5.6% |
| 1966 | 12,500,000 | 0.0% |
| 1965 | 12,500,000 | 0.0% |
| 1964 | 12,500,000 | +8.7% |
| 1963 | 11,500,000 | 0.0% |
| 1962 | 11,500,000 | 0.0% |
| 1961 | 11,500,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many chickens are there in North Korea?
North Korea had 12.0 million chickens in 2024, 0.04% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does North Korea rank in the world by number of chickens?
North Korea ranked 107th 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 North Korea changed?
It fell by 21% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +31% for the world. The record was 21.7 million head in 1991.
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 North Korea 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.