Chickens in South Africa
South Africa had 175 million chickens in 2024, the 30th largest in the world (0.63% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 9.0%. The record was 200 million head in 2011.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 175 million head
- World rank
- 30 of 179
- 10-year change
- +9.0%
- Record
- 200 million head
- 2011
Chickens in South Africa, 1961–2024 (head)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.63%
- 0.76% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +9.0%
- world +31%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Ecuador | 180,296,000 | 0.65% |
| 29 | South Korea | 178,474,000 | 0.64% |
| 30 | South Africa | 175,199,000 | 0.63% |
| 31 | Ukraine | 173,725,000 | 0.63% |
| 32 | Canada | 173,164,000 | 0.63% |
Map of chickens numbers by country
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 175,199,000 | −0.0% |
| 2023 | 175,215,000 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 175,203,000 | −1.3% |
| 2021 | 177,561,000 | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 177,524,000 | +1.8% |
| 2019 | 174,303,000 | +1.9% |
| 2018 | 171,063,000 | +2.4% |
| 2017 | 167,033,000 | +1.9% |
| 2016 | 163,870,000 | +1.2% |
| 2015 | 162,000,000 | +0.8% |
| 2014 | 160,700,000 | −0.6% |
| 2013 | 161,600,000 | −19% |
| 2012 | 200,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 2011 | 200,000,000 | +1.5% |
| 2010 | 197,000,000 | +6.5% |
| 2009 | 185,000,000 | +8.8% |
| 2008 | 170,000,000 | +21% |
| 2007 | 141,000,000 | +12% |
| 2006 | 125,840,000 | +4.0% |
| 2005 | 121,000,000 | −17% |
| 2004 | 145,000,000 | +0.7% |
| 2003 | 144,000,000 | −2.7% |
| 2002 | 148,000,000 | +7.2% |
| 2001 | 138,000,000 | +9.5% |
| 2000 | 126,000,000 | +5.9% |
| 1999 | 119,000,000 | +5.3% |
| 1998 | 113,000,000 | −1.7% |
| 1997 | 115,000,000 | +4.5% |
| 1996 | 110,000,000 | +10% |
| 1995 | 100,000,000 | +5.3% |
| 1994 | 95,000,000 | +3.3% |
| 1993 | 92,000,000 | +4.5% |
| 1992 | 88,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1991 | 88,000,000 | +1.1% |
| 1990 | 87,000,000 | +98% |
| 1989 | 44,000,000 | +4.8% |
| 1988 | 42,000,000 | +5.0% |
| 1987 | 40,000,000 | +5.3% |
| 1986 | 38,000,000 | +5.6% |
| 1985 | 36,000,000 | +5.9% |
| 1984 | 34,000,000 | +6.3% |
| 1983 | 32,000,000 | +1.6% |
| 1982 | 31,500,000 | +1.6% |
| 1981 | 31,000,000 | +3.3% |
| 1980 | 30,000,000 | +3.4% |
| 1979 | 29,000,000 | +3.6% |
| 1978 | 28,000,000 | +3.7% |
| 1977 | 27,000,000 | +3.8% |
| 1976 | 26,000,000 | +4.0% |
| 1975 | 25,000,000 | +1.6% |
| 1974 | 24,600,000 | −27% |
| 1973 | 33,500,000 | +16% |
| 1972 | 29,000,000 | +12% |
| 1971 | 26,000,000 | +16% |
| 1970 | 22,500,000 | +2.3% |
| 1969 | 22,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1968 | 22,000,000 | +2.3% |
| 1967 | 21,500,000 | +2.4% |
| 1966 | 21,000,000 | +2.4% |
| 1965 | 20,500,000 | +2.5% |
| 1964 | 20,000,000 | +2.6% |
| 1963 | 19,500,000 | +2.6% |
| 1962 | 19,000,000 | +2.7% |
| 1961 | 18,500,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many chickens are there in South Africa?
South Africa had 175 million chickens in 2024, 0.63% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world by number of chickens?
South Africa ranked 30th 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 South Africa changed?
It rose by 9.0% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +31% for the world. The record was 200 million head in 2011.
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 South Africa 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.