Horses in Portugal
Portugal had 103,000 horses in 2024, the 47th largest in the world (0.18% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 24%. This is the highest figure on record.
- Animals, 2024
- 103,000 head
- World rank
- 47 of 143
- 10-year change
- +24%
- Record
- 103,000 head
- 2024
Horses in Portugal, 1961–2024 (head)
Portugal compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.18%
- 0.15% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +24%
- world +2.7%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | Costa Rica | 117,571 | 0.21% |
| 46 | Nigeria | 104,092 | 0.19% |
| 47 | Portugal | 103,000 | 0.18% |
| 48 | Panama | 102,460 | 0.18% |
| 49 | Netherlands | 102,143 | 0.18% |
Map of horses numbers by country
Share of the world total; Portugal is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 103,000 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | 100,000 | +11% |
| 2022 | 90,000 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | 88,000 | +3.5% |
| 2020 | 85,000 | −2.3% |
| 2019 | 87,000 | +6.1% |
| 2018 | 82,000 | +6.5% |
| 2017 | 77,000 | +17% |
| 2016 | 66,000 | −11% |
| 2015 | 74,000 | −11% |
| 2014 | 83,000 | +6.4% |
| 2013 | 78,000 | −11% |
| 2012 | 88,000 | −9.3% |
| 2011 | 97,000 | 0.0% |
| 2010 | 97,000 | 0.0% |
| 2009 | 97,000 | +21% |
| 2008 | 80,000 | +16% |
| 2007 | 69,000 | +7.8% |
| 2006 | 64,000 | +4.9% |
| 2005 | 61,000 | +1.7% |
| 2004 | 60,000 | +1.7% |
| 2003 | 59,000 | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 59,000 | 0.0% |
| 2001 | 59,000 | 0.0% |
| 2000 | 59,000 | +1.7% |
| 1999 | 58,000 | 0.0% |
| 1998 | 58,000 | +1.8% |
| 1997 | 57,000 | +3.6% |
| 1996 | 55,000 | +5.8% |
| 1995 | 52,000 | +8.3% |
| 1994 | 48,000 | +12% |
| 1993 | 43,000 | +2.4% |
| 1992 | 42,000 | +2.4% |
| 1991 | 41,000 | +58% |
| 1990 | 26,000 | 0.0% |
| 1989 | 26,000 | 0.0% |
| 1988 | 26,000 | 0.0% |
| 1987 | 26,000 | 0.0% |
| 1986 | 26,000 | −7.1% |
| 1985 | 28,000 | 0.0% |
| 1984 | 28,000 | 0.0% |
| 1983 | 28,000 | −3.4% |
| 1982 | 29,000 | 0.0% |
| 1981 | 29,000 | 0.0% |
| 1980 | 29,000 | −3.3% |
| 1979 | 30,000 | −3.2% |
| 1978 | 31,000 | 0.0% |
| 1977 | 31,000 | −3.1% |
| 1976 | 32,000 | 0.0% |
| 1975 | 32,000 | −8.6% |
| 1974 | 35,000 | −9.8% |
| 1973 | 38,791 | +2.7% |
| 1972 | 37,778 | +0.2% |
| 1971 | 37,700 | +5.3% |
| 1970 | 35,800 | +3.8% |
| 1969 | 34,500 | +5.0% |
| 1968 | 32,854 | −8.2% |
| 1967 | 35,800 | −9.4% |
| 1966 | 39,500 | +6.8% |
| 1965 | 37,000 | −7.5% |
| 1964 | 40,000 | −9.1% |
| 1963 | 44,000 | −7.2% |
| 1962 | 47,400 | −7.1% |
| 1961 | 51,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many horses are there in Portugal?
Portugal had 103,000 horses in 2024, 0.18% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Portugal rank in the world by number of horses?
Portugal ranked 47th 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 Portugal changed?
It rose by 24% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +2.7% for the world. 2024 was the highest figure on record.
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.