Horses in China
China had 3.5 million horses in 2024, the 6th largest in the world (6.26% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 18%. The record was 11.4 million head in 1978.
- Animals, 2024
- 3.5 million head
- World rank
- 6 of 143
- 10-year change
- −18%
- Record
- 11.4 million head
- 1978
Horses in China, 1961–2024 (head)
China compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 6.3%
- 7.9% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −18%
- world +2.7%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Mongolia | 4,683,233 | 8.3% |
| 5 | Kazakhstan | 4,353,028 | 7.7% |
| 6 | China | 3,521,000 | 6.3% |
| 7 | Argentina | 2,588,704 | 4.6% |
| 8 | Ethiopia | 2,293,260 | 4.1% |
Map of horses numbers by country
Share of the world total; China is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3,521,000 | −1.9% |
| 2023 | 3,590,600 | −2.1% |
| 2022 | 3,666,800 | −1.6% |
| 2021 | 3,724,900 | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 3,671,600 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 3,670,999 | +5.7% |
| 2018 | 3,473,096 | +1.1% |
| 2017 | 3,436,422 | −14% |
| 2016 | 3,975,000 | −4.4% |
| 2015 | 4,157,500 | −3.7% |
| 2014 | 4,316,800 | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 4,316,800 | −7.2% |
| 2012 | 4,652,400 | −9.7% |
| 2011 | 5,153,900 | −2.7% |
| 2010 | 5,299,500 | −5.7% |
| 2009 | 5,622,800 | −20% |
| 2008 | 7,028,000 | −2.3% |
| 2007 | 7,195,000 | −2.8% |
| 2006 | 7,399,600 | −3.1% |
| 2005 | 7,639,000 | −3.3% |
| 2004 | 7,900,000 | −2.3% |
| 2003 | 8,088,000 | −2.1% |
| 2002 | 8,260,000 | −5.8% |
| 2001 | 8,766,000 | −1.7% |
| 2000 | 8,914,000 | −0.7% |
| 1999 | 8,981,000 | +0.8% |
| 1998 | 8,912,000 | +2.3% |
| 1997 | 8,715,000 | −13% |
| 1996 | 10,072,000 | +0.3% |
| 1995 | 10,037,300 | +0.8% |
| 1994 | 9,959,000 | −0.6% |
| 1993 | 10,017,000 | −0.8% |
| 1992 | 10,094,000 | −0.8% |
| 1991 | 10,174,000 | −1.2% |
| 1990 | 10,294,000 | −2.3% |
| 1989 | 10,540,000 | −1.4% |
| 1988 | 10,691,000 | −2.7% |
| 1987 | 10,988,000 | −0.8% |
| 1986 | 11,081,000 | +0.9% |
| 1985 | 10,978,000 | +1.6% |
| 1984 | 10,806,000 | −1.6% |
| 1983 | 10,981,000 | +0.1% |
| 1982 | 10,972,000 | −0.6% |
| 1981 | 11,042,000 | −0.9% |
| 1980 | 11,145,000 | −0.9% |
| 1979 | 11,245,000 | −1.8% |
| 1978 | 11,447,000 | +0.1% |
| 1977 | 11,438,000 | +1.2% |
| 1976 | 11,299,000 | +1.8% |
| 1975 | 11,103,000 | +3.5% |
| 1974 | 10,730,000 | +3.8% |
| 1973 | 10,341,000 | +4.2% |
| 1972 | 9,926,000 | +2.9% |
| 1971 | 9,648,000 | +4.9% |
| 1970 | 9,200,000 | +4.5% |
| 1969 | 8,800,000 | +3.5% |
| 1968 | 8,500,000 | +3.7% |
| 1967 | 8,200,000 | +3.5% |
| 1966 | 7,921,000 | +7.1% |
| 1965 | 7,394,000 | +7.7% |
| 1964 | 6,865,000 | +8.6% |
| 1963 | 6,320,000 | +1.8% |
| 1962 | 6,211,000 | −5.7% |
| 1961 | 6,585,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many horses are there in China?
China had 3.5 million horses in 2024, 6.3% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does China rank in the world by number of horses?
China ranked 6th 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 China changed?
It fell by 18% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +2.7% for the world. The record was 11.4 million head in 1978.
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.