Horses in Ireland
Ireland had 94,100 horses in 2024, the 51st largest in the world (0.17% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 0.9%. The record was 207,000 head in 1961.
- Animals, 2024
- 94,100 head
- World rank
- 51 of 143
- 10-year change
- −0.9%
- Record
- 207,000 head
- 1961
Horses in Ireland, 1961–2024 (head)
Ireland compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.17%
- 0.17% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −0.9%
- world +2.7%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | Netherlands | 102,143 | 0.18% |
| 50 | El Salvador | 98,260 | 0.17% |
| 51 | Ireland | 94,100 | 0.17% |
| 52 | Tajikistan | 91,626 | 0.16% |
| 53 | Egypt | 89,098 | 0.16% |
Map of horses numbers by country
Share of the world total; Ireland is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 94,100 | −3.1% |
| 2023 | 97,100 | +3.9% |
| 2022 | 93,500 | +13% |
| 2021 | 82,900 | −6.1% |
| 2020 | 88,300 | +7.7% |
| 2019 | 82,010 | −2.8% |
| 2018 | 84,334 | −0.6% |
| 2017 | 84,876 | −7.9% |
| 2016 | 92,200 | −1.0% |
| 2015 | 93,100 | −2.0% |
| 2014 | 95,000 | −6.5% |
| 2013 | 101,600 | −8.6% |
| 2012 | 111,100 | +4.8% |
| 2011 | 106,000 | 0.0% |
| 2010 | 106,000 | +8.1% |
| 2009 | 98,100 | +2.5% |
| 2008 | 95,700 | +7.3% |
| 2007 | 89,200 | +3.0% |
| 2006 | 86,600 | +8.4% |
| 2005 | 79,900 | +9.8% |
| 2004 | 72,800 | +3.4% |
| 2003 | 70,400 | −3.0% |
| 2002 | 72,600 | +2.3% |
| 2001 | 71,000 | +1.6% |
| 2000 | 69,900 | −7.4% |
| 1999 | 75,500 | +3.7% |
| 1998 | 72,800 | +1.3% |
| 1997 | 71,900 | +2.9% |
| 1996 | 69,900 | +2.8% |
| 1995 | 68,000 | +1.5% |
| 1994 | 67,000 | +1.2% |
| 1993 | 66,200 | +1.7% |
| 1992 | 65,100 | +3.2% |
| 1991 | 63,100 | +18% |
| 1990 | 53,500 | +3.5% |
| 1989 | 51,700 | −2.6% |
| 1988 | 53,100 | −2.6% |
| 1987 | 54,500 | −2.3% |
| 1986 | 55,800 | −3.3% |
| 1985 | 57,700 | +0.2% |
| 1984 | 57,600 | −4.6% |
| 1983 | 60,400 | −1.8% |
| 1982 | 61,500 | −4.9% |
| 1981 | 64,700 | −5.5% |
| 1980 | 68,466 | −6.2% |
| 1979 | 73,000 | −3.3% |
| 1978 | 75,500 | −6.0% |
| 1977 | 80,300 | −3.5% |
| 1976 | 83,200 | −6.7% |
| 1975 | 89,182 | −9.1% |
| 1974 | 98,100 | −5.0% |
| 1973 | 103,300 | −7.9% |
| 1972 | 112,100 | −4.4% |
| 1971 | 117,200 | −5.7% |
| 1970 | 124,300 | −0.5% |
| 1969 | 124,900 | −6.5% |
| 1968 | 133,600 | −6.4% |
| 1967 | 142,700 | −9.9% |
| 1966 | 158,400 | −8.0% |
| 1965 | 172,111 | −4.5% |
| 1964 | 180,300 | −5.2% |
| 1963 | 190,200 | −3.0% |
| 1962 | 196,000 | −5.3% |
| 1961 | 207,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many horses are there in Ireland?
Ireland had 94,100 horses in 2024, 0.17% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Ireland rank in the world by number of horses?
Ireland ranked 51st 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 Ireland changed?
It fell by 0.9% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +2.7% for the world. The record was 207,000 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.