Goats in South Africa
South Africa had 5.1 million goats in 2024, the 38th largest in the world (0.43% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 15%. The record was 6.7 million head in 2000.
- Animals, 2024
- 5.1 million head
- World rank
- 38 of 181
- 10-year change
- −15%
- Record
- 6.7 million head
- 2000
Goats in South Africa, 1961–2024 (head)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.43%
- 0.62% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −15%
- world +23%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | Côte d'Ivoire | 5,447,608 | 0.46% |
| 37 | Australia | 5,400,000 | 0.45% |
| 38 | South Africa | 5,100,449 | 0.43% |
| 39 | Algeria | 5,071,523 | 0.43% |
| 40 | Zimbabwe | 4,883,669 | 0.41% |
Map of goats 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 | 5,100,449 | −0.5% |
| 2023 | 5,125,311 | −0.3% |
| 2022 | 5,138,635 | −0.2% |
| 2021 | 5,150,163 | −0.4% |
| 2020 | 5,170,127 | −1.5% |
| 2019 | 5,251,039 | −2.8% |
| 2018 | 5,404,600 | −1.3% |
| 2017 | 5,474,800 | −2.6% |
| 2016 | 5,618,473 | −4.3% |
| 2015 | 5,872,332 | −1.7% |
| 2014 | 5,971,202 | −0.9% |
| 2013 | 6,027,966 | −1.9% |
| 2012 | 6,141,817 | −0.4% |
| 2011 | 6,165,051 | −1.7% |
| 2010 | 6,274,846 | −1.3% |
| 2009 | 6,357,838 | −2.6% |
| 2008 | 6,529,328 | +4.2% |
| 2007 | 6,265,380 | −2.1% |
| 2006 | 6,399,859 | +0.7% |
| 2005 | 6,356,000 | −0.3% |
| 2004 | 6,372,000 | +0.2% |
| 2003 | 6,358,000 | −1.5% |
| 2002 | 6,452,000 | −1.5% |
| 2001 | 6,550,000 | −2.3% |
| 2000 | 6,706,104 | +3.9% |
| 1999 | 6,457,064 | −1.5% |
| 1998 | 6,558,435 | −1.3% |
| 1997 | 6,643,927 | −0.5% |
| 1996 | 6,674,103 | +3.4% |
| 1995 | 6,456,789 | +0.9% |
| 1994 | 6,402,100 | +5.2% |
| 1993 | 6,086,850 | −5.2% |
| 1992 | 6,418,230 | +3.5% |
| 1991 | 6,200,000 | +1.6% |
| 1990 | 6,100,000 | +1.7% |
| 1989 | 6,000,000 | +1.7% |
| 1988 | 5,900,000 | +0.9% |
| 1987 | 5,850,000 | +0.9% |
| 1986 | 5,800,000 | +0.3% |
| 1985 | 5,780,000 | +0.5% |
| 1984 | 5,750,000 | −1.9% |
| 1983 | 5,861,000 | −0.1% |
| 1982 | 5,865,000 | +1.3% |
| 1981 | 5,787,000 | −0.1% |
| 1980 | 5,794,000 | +2.5% |
| 1979 | 5,650,000 | +4.6% |
| 1978 | 5,400,000 | +2.9% |
| 1977 | 5,250,000 | −1.4% |
| 1976 | 5,325,000 | +1.0% |
| 1975 | 5,271,000 | −1.4% |
| 1974 | 5,346,000 | +1.8% |
| 1973 | 5,252,000 | −1.8% |
| 1972 | 5,348,000 | −0.3% |
| 1971 | 5,364,000 | −5.5% |
| 1970 | 5,675,000 | −0.5% |
| 1969 | 5,701,294 | +2.5% |
| 1968 | 5,563,932 | −1.3% |
| 1967 | 5,636,690 | +2.5% |
| 1966 | 5,500,000 | +3.0% |
| 1965 | 5,341,000 | +1.0% |
| 1964 | 5,288,000 | +1.0% |
| 1963 | 5,236,000 | +1.0% |
| 1962 | 5,184,000 | +1.0% |
| 1961 | 5,133,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many goats are there in South Africa?
South Africa had 5.1 million goats in 2024, 0.43% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world by number of goats?
South Africa ranked 38th of 181 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in India with 17.7% of the world total.
How has the number of goats in South Africa changed?
It fell by 15% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +23% for the world. The record was 6.7 million head in 2000.
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.