Ducks in New Zealand
New Zealand had 184,000 ducks in 2024, the 47th largest in the world (0.01% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 2.2%. The record was 230,000 head in 1981.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 184,000 head
- World rank
- 47 of 76
- 10-year change
- +2.2%
- Record
- 230,000 head
- 1981
Ducks in New Zealand, 1961–2024 (head)
New Zealand compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.01%
- 0.02% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +2.2%
- world +20%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | Hong Kong | 231,000 | 0.02% |
| 46 | Brunei | 224,000 | 0.02% |
| 47 | New Zealand | 184,000 | 0.01% |
| 48 | Israel | 180,000 | 0.01% |
| 49 | Norway | 125,000 | 0.01% |
Map of ducks numbers by country
Share of the world total; New Zealand is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 184,000 | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 183,000 | 0.0% |
| 2022 | 183,000 | −0.5% |
| 2021 | 184,000 | −0.5% |
| 2020 | 185,000 | 0.0% |
| 2019 | 185,000 | +0.5% |
| 2018 | 184,000 | +0.5% |
| 2017 | 183,000 | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 182,000 | +0.6% |
| 2015 | 181,000 | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 180,000 | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 180,000 | 0.0% |
| 2012 | 180,000 | 0.0% |
| 2011 | 180,000 | 0.0% |
| 2010 | 180,000 | 0.0% |
| 2009 | 180,000 | 0.0% |
| 2008 | 180,000 | +5.9% |
| 2007 | 170,000 | 0.0% |
| 2006 | 170,000 | −5.6% |
| 2005 | 180,000 | 0.0% |
| 2004 | 180,000 | 0.0% |
| 2003 | 180,000 | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 180,000 | +5.9% |
| 2001 | 170,000 | −5.6% |
| 2000 | 180,000 | −10.0% |
| 1999 | 200,000 | +25% |
| 1998 | 160,000 | 0.0% |
| 1997 | 160,000 | +23% |
| 1996 | 130,000 | +30% |
| 1995 | 100,000 | +43% |
| 1994 | 70,000 | +75% |
| 1993 | 40,000 | −33% |
| 1992 | 60,000 | +20% |
| 1991 | 50,000 | +25% |
| 1990 | 40,000 | +14% |
| 1989 | 35,000 | −13% |
| 1988 | 40,000 | −75% |
| 1987 | 160,000 | 0.0% |
| 1986 | 160,000 | +23% |
| 1985 | 130,000 | 0.0% |
| 1984 | 130,000 | 0.0% |
| 1983 | 130,000 | +225% |
| 1982 | 40,000 | −83% |
| 1981 | 230,000 | +109% |
| 1980 | 110,000 | −12% |
| 1979 | 125,000 | 0.0% |
| 1978 | 125,000 | +4.2% |
| 1977 | 120,000 | +14% |
| 1976 | 105,000 | +5.0% |
| 1975 | 100,000 | +11% |
| 1974 | 90,000 | 0.0% |
| 1973 | 90,000 | +70% |
| 1972 | 53,000 | +6.0% |
| 1971 | 50,000 | 0.0% |
| 1970 | 50,000 | 0.0% |
| 1969 | 50,000 | −72% |
| 1968 | 178,000 | −3.8% |
| 1967 | 185,000 | 0.0% |
| 1966 | 185,000 | 0.0% |
| 1965 | 185,000 | −2.6% |
| 1964 | 190,000 | −2.6% |
| 1963 | 195,000 | −2.5% |
| 1962 | 200,000 | −1.0% |
| 1961 | 202,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many ducks are there in New Zealand?
New Zealand had 184,000 ducks in 2024, 0.01% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does New Zealand rank in the world by number of ducks?
New Zealand ranked 47th of 76 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in China with 65.1% of the world total.
How has the number of ducks in New Zealand changed?
It rose by 2.2% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +20% for the world. The record was 230,000 head in 1981.
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 New Zealand 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.