FAOSTAT · 1961–2024
Horses in South Africa
South Africa had 339,966 horses in 2024, the 28th largest in the world (0.60% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 9.0%. The record was 465,000 head in 1961.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 339,966 head
- World rank
- 28 of 143
- 10-year change
- +9.0%
- Record
- 465,000 head
- 1961
Horses in South Africa, 1961–2024 (head)
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 339,966 | −0.7% |
| 2023 | 342,524 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 339,488 | +0.5% |
| 2021 | 337,738 | +1.0% |
| 2020 | 334,519 | +1.1% |
| 2019 | 330,783 | +1.2% |
| 2018 | 326,965 | +1.2% |
| 2017 | 323,099 | +1.1% |
| 2016 | 319,430 | +1.2% |
| 2015 | 315,774 | +1.2% |
| 2014 | 312,000 | +0.6% |
| 2013 | 310,000 | +0.6% |
| 2012 | 308,000 | +1.0% |
| 2011 | 305,000 | +1.7% |
| 2010 | 300,000 | 0.0% |
| 2009 | 300,000 | +0.7% |
| 2008 | 298,000 | +2.8% |
| 2007 | 290,000 | +3.6% |
| 2006 | 280,000 | +3.7% |
| 2005 | 270,000 | 0.0% |
| 2004 | 270,000 | 0.0% |
| 2003 | 270,000 | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 270,000 | 0.0% |
| 2001 | 270,000 | 0.0% |
| 2000 | 270,000 | +4.7% |
| 1999 | 258,000 | −0.8% |
| 1998 | 260,000 | +2.0% |
| 1997 | 255,000 | +2.0% |
| 1996 | 250,000 | +2.0% |
| 1995 | 245,000 | +2.1% |
| 1994 | 240,000 | +2.1% |
| 1993 | 235,000 | +2.2% |
| 1992 | 230,000 | 0.0% |
| 1991 | 230,000 | 0.0% |
| 1990 | 230,000 | 0.0% |
| 1989 | 230,000 | 0.0% |
| 1988 | 230,000 | 0.0% |
| 1987 | 230,000 | 0.0% |
| 1986 | 230,000 | 0.0% |
| 1985 | 230,000 | 0.0% |
| 1984 | 230,000 | 0.0% |
| 1983 | 230,000 | +2.2% |
| 1982 | 225,000 | 0.0% |
| 1981 | 225,000 | 0.0% |
| 1980 | 225,000 | 0.0% |
| 1979 | 225,000 | 0.0% |
| 1978 | 225,000 | 0.0% |
| 1977 | 225,000 | 0.0% |
| 1976 | 225,000 | 0.0% |
| 1975 | 225,000 | −2.2% |
| 1974 | 230,000 | −0.9% |
| 1973 | 232,000 | −1.3% |
| 1972 | 235,000 | −2.9% |
| 1971 | 242,000 | −4.0% |
| 1970 | 252,000 | −10.0% |
| 1969 | 280,000 | −6.7% |
| 1968 | 300,000 | −6.3% |
| 1967 | 320,000 | −5.9% |
| 1966 | 340,000 | −5.6% |
| 1965 | 360,000 | −5.3% |
| 1964 | 380,000 | −5.0% |
| 1963 | 400,000 | −7.0% |
| 1962 | 430,000 | −7.5% |
| 1961 | 465,000 | — |
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.