Horses in France
France had 289,788 horses in 2024, the 30th largest in the world (0.52% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 29%. The record was 1.7 million head in 1961.
- Animals, 2024
- 289,788 head
- World rank
- 30 of 143
- 10-year change
- −29%
- Record
- 1.7 million head
- 1961
Horses in France, 1961–2024 (head)
France compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.52%
- 0.74% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −29%
- world +2.7%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | South Africa | 339,966 | 0.60% |
| 29 | Chile | 295,656 | 0.53% |
| 30 | France | 289,788 | 0.52% |
| 31 | Uzbekistan | 282,793 | 0.50% |
| 32 | Niger | 268,765 | 0.48% |
Map of horses numbers by country
Share of the world total; France is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 289,788 | −0.5% |
| 2023 | 291,286 | +0.6% |
| 2022 | 289,607 | −0.5% |
| 2021 | 291,165 | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 290,857 | −21% |
| 2019 | 367,174 | −1.0% |
| 2018 | 370,881 | −1.2% |
| 2017 | 375,266 | −1.1% |
| 2016 | 379,410 | −4.7% |
| 2015 | 398,055 | −1.9% |
| 2014 | 405,649 | −0.6% |
| 2013 | 408,028 | −1.5% |
| 2012 | 414,284 | −2.4% |
| 2011 | 424,590 | +0.4% |
| 2010 | 422,902 | +0.1% |
| 2009 | 422,665 | +0.4% |
| 2008 | 421,065 | −0.5% |
| 2007 | 423,049 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 422,872 | −0.8% |
| 2005 | 426,227 | −0.2% |
| 2004 | 427,079 | +1.8% |
| 2003 | 419,625 | −0.4% |
| 2002 | 421,268 | +0.7% |
| 2001 | 418,135 | +0.3% |
| 2000 | 417,016 | +6.1% |
| 1999 | 393,186 | +0.6% |
| 1998 | 390,780 | +1.9% |
| 1997 | 383,479 | +3.2% |
| 1996 | 371,526 | +2.4% |
| 1995 | 362,894 | +3.1% |
| 1994 | 351,951 | +1.3% |
| 1993 | 347,558 | +2.5% |
| 1992 | 339,171 | +1.3% |
| 1991 | 334,810 | +4.9% |
| 1990 | 319,046 | +19% |
| 1989 | 268,681 | +1.0% |
| 1988 | 266,100 | −0.6% |
| 1987 | 267,724 | −1.3% |
| 1986 | 271,204 | −7.8% |
| 1985 | 294,000 | −1.3% |
| 1984 | 298,000 | −2.6% |
| 1983 | 306,000 | −5.3% |
| 1982 | 323,000 | +1.8% |
| 1981 | 317,444 | −13% |
| 1980 | 364,417 | −2.4% |
| 1979 | 373,500 | −1.6% |
| 1978 | 379,600 | −4.5% |
| 1977 | 397,600 | −0.1% |
| 1976 | 398,100 | −3.6% |
| 1975 | 413,000 | −2.8% |
| 1974 | 425,000 | −4.8% |
| 1973 | 446,600 | −15% |
| 1972 | 524,200 | −16% |
| 1971 | 626,000 | −10% |
| 1970 | 696,500 | −7.1% |
| 1969 | 749,900 | −14% |
| 1968 | 874,400 | −16% |
| 1967 | 1,044,000 | −6.3% |
| 1966 | 1,114,200 | −9.2% |
| 1965 | 1,227,700 | −9.5% |
| 1964 | 1,356,800 | −11% |
| 1963 | 1,526,200 | −5.6% |
| 1962 | 1,617,100 | −6.5% |
| 1961 | 1,728,800 | — |
Questions and answers
How many horses are there in France?
France had 289,788 horses in 2024, 0.52% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does France rank in the world by number of horses?
France ranked 30th 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 France changed?
It fell by 29% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +2.7% for the world. The record was 1.7 million head in 1961.
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.