Horses in Australia
Australia had 228,204 horses in 2024, the 34th largest in the world (0.41% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 15%. The record was 598,428 head in 1961.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 228,204 head
- World rank
- 34 of 143
- 10-year change
- −15%
- Record
- 598,428 head
- 1961
Horses in Australia, 1961–2024 (head)
Australia compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.41%
- 0.49% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −15%
- world +2.7%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | Niger | 268,765 | 0.48% |
| 33 | Philippines | 248,273 | 0.44% |
| 34 | Australia | 228,204 | 0.41% |
| 35 | Paraguay | 223,392 | 0.40% |
| 36 | Honduras | 182,378 | 0.32% |
Map of horses numbers by country
Share of the world total; Australia is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 228,204 | −6.0% |
| 2023 | 242,892 | −4.7% |
| 2022 | 254,901 | −3.4% |
| 2021 | 263,849 | −1.0% |
| 2020 | 266,476 | −0.9% |
| 2019 | 268,872 | −0.2% |
| 2018 | 269,544 | −0.4% |
| 2017 | 270,675 | −0.5% |
| 2016 | 272,113 | +0.2% |
| 2015 | 271,702 | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 270,000 | +1.1% |
| 2013 | 267,000 | +0.8% |
| 2012 | 265,000 | +2.1% |
| 2011 | 259,467 | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 258,000 | +0.6% |
| 2009 | 256,413 | −1.4% |
| 2008 | 260,000 | −1.8% |
| 2007 | 264,876 | +3.0% |
| 2006 | 257,123 | +16% |
| 2005 | 221,042 | +0.9% |
| 2004 | 219,147 | −0.4% |
| 2003 | 220,000 | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 220,000 | 0.0% |
| 2001 | 220,000 | 0.0% |
| 2000 | 220,000 | 0.0% |
| 1999 | 220,000 | 0.0% |
| 1998 | 220,000 | −4.3% |
| 1997 | 230,000 | 0.0% |
| 1996 | 230,000 | −4.2% |
| 1995 | 240,000 | −4.0% |
| 1994 | 250,000 | −8.1% |
| 1993 | 272,167 | −5.9% |
| 1992 | 289,346 | −6.1% |
| 1991 | 308,044 | −0.8% |
| 1990 | 310,418 | −2.0% |
| 1989 | 316,614 | −5.4% |
| 1988 | 334,562 | +7.1% |
| 1987 | 312,507 | −9.8% |
| 1986 | 346,300 | −17% |
| 1985 | 416,314 | −2.9% |
| 1984 | 428,715 | −4.5% |
| 1983 | 448,916 | −2.3% |
| 1982 | 459,457 | −6.0% |
| 1981 | 488,535 | −1.1% |
| 1980 | 493,744 | +3.7% |
| 1979 | 475,919 | +8.7% |
| 1978 | 437,882 | +5.5% |
| 1977 | 415,000 | +7.7% |
| 1976 | 385,386 | −9.3% |
| 1975 | 425,000 | −6.6% |
| 1974 | 455,000 | +2.0% |
| 1973 | 446,000 | −0.9% |
| 1972 | 450,000 | 0.0% |
| 1971 | 450,000 | −1.2% |
| 1970 | 455,682 | −0.3% |
| 1969 | 457,000 | +2.0% |
| 1968 | 448,000 | −6.5% |
| 1967 | 479,146 | −3.2% |
| 1966 | 495,000 | −4.8% |
| 1965 | 519,899 | −3.0% |
| 1964 | 535,834 | −2.1% |
| 1963 | 547,367 | −2.6% |
| 1962 | 562,003 | −6.1% |
| 1961 | 598,428 | — |
Questions and answers
How many horses are there in Australia?
Australia had 228,204 horses in 2024, 0.41% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Australia rank in the world by number of horses?
Australia ranked 34th of 143 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in Mexico with 11.4% of the world total.
How has the number of horses in Australia changed?
It fell by 15% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +2.7% for the world. The record was 598,428 head in 1961.
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 Australia is estimated 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.