Horses in Costa Rica
Costa Rica had 117,571 horses in 2024, the 45th largest in the world (0.21% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 76%. The record was 126,030 head in 2016.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 117,571 head
- World rank
- 45 of 143
- 10-year change
- +76%
- Record
- 126,030 head
- 2016
Horses in Costa Rica, 1961–2024 (head)
Costa Rica compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.21%
- 0.12% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +76%
- world +2.7%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | Iran | 127,751 | 0.23% |
| 44 | Myanmar | 117,653 | 0.21% |
| 45 | Costa Rica | 117,571 | 0.21% |
| 46 | Nigeria | 104,092 | 0.19% |
| 47 | Portugal | 103,000 | 0.18% |
Map of horses numbers by country
Share of the world total; Costa Rica is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 117,571 | +0.1% |
| 2023 | 117,499 | +0.1% |
| 2022 | 117,427 | +0.1% |
| 2021 | 117,275 | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 117,270 | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 116,978 | −0.3% |
| 2018 | 117,299 | −1.9% |
| 2017 | 119,532 | −5.2% |
| 2016 | 126,030 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 126,015 | +88% |
| 2014 | 66,942 | −47% |
| 2013 | 126,000 | +0.2% |
| 2012 | 125,800 | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 125,000 | +0.8% |
| 2010 | 124,000 | +0.8% |
| 2009 | 123,000 | +0.8% |
| 2008 | 122,000 | +1.7% |
| 2007 | 120,000 | +4.3% |
| 2006 | 115,000 | 0.0% |
| 2005 | 115,000 | 0.0% |
| 2004 | 115,000 | 0.0% |
| 2003 | 115,000 | +0.4% |
| 2002 | 114,500 | 0.0% |
| 2001 | 114,500 | 0.0% |
| 2000 | 114,500 | 0.0% |
| 1999 | 114,500 | 0.0% |
| 1998 | 114,500 | 0.0% |
| 1997 | 114,500 | 0.0% |
| 1996 | 114,500 | 0.0% |
| 1995 | 114,500 | +0.1% |
| 1994 | 114,400 | +0.1% |
| 1993 | 114,300 | +0.1% |
| 1992 | 114,200 | +0.1% |
| 1991 | 114,100 | +0.1% |
| 1990 | 114,000 | 0.0% |
| 1989 | 114,000 | 0.0% |
| 1988 | 114,000 | 0.0% |
| 1987 | 114,000 | 0.0% |
| 1986 | 114,000 | +0.9% |
| 1985 | 113,000 | 0.0% |
| 1984 | 113,000 | 0.0% |
| 1983 | 113,000 | 0.0% |
| 1982 | 113,000 | 0.0% |
| 1981 | 113,000 | +0.4% |
| 1980 | 112,500 | +0.4% |
| 1979 | 112,000 | +0.9% |
| 1978 | 111,000 | +1.8% |
| 1977 | 109,000 | +1.9% |
| 1976 | 107,000 | +1.9% |
| 1975 | 105,000 | −4.5% |
| 1974 | 110,000 | +8.4% |
| 1973 | 101,481 | −9.9% |
| 1972 | 112,600 | +1.8% |
| 1971 | 110,600 | +1.8% |
| 1970 | 108,600 | +1.8% |
| 1969 | 106,682 | −0.3% |
| 1968 | 107,000 | +1.9% |
| 1967 | 105,000 | +1.9% |
| 1966 | 103,000 | +2.0% |
| 1965 | 101,000 | 0.0% |
| 1964 | 101,000 | +0.9% |
| 1963 | 100,145 | +1.2% |
| 1962 | 99,000 | +2.1% |
| 1961 | 97,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many horses are there in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica had 117,571 horses in 2024, 0.21% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Costa Rica rank in the world by number of horses?
Costa Rica ranked 45th 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 Costa Rica changed?
It rose by 76% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +2.7% for the world. The record was 126,030 head in 2016.
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 Costa Rica 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.