Horses in Switzerland
Switzerland had 48,006 horses in 2024, the 63rd largest in the world (0.09% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 16%. The record was 95,071 head in 1961.
- Animals, 2024
- 48,006 head
- World rank
- 63 of 143
- 10-year change
- −16%
- Record
- 95,071 head
- 1961
Horses in Switzerland, 1961–2024 (head)
Switzerland compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.09%
- 0.10% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −16%
- world +2.7%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | Azerbaijan | 49,583 | 0.09% |
| 62 | North Korea | 48,351 | 0.09% |
| 63 | Switzerland | 48,006 | 0.09% |
| 64 | Fiji | 47,707 | 0.08% |
| 65 | Libya | 46,676 | 0.08% |
Map of horses numbers by country
Share of the world total; Switzerland is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 48,006 | −0.2% |
| 2023 | 48,088 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | 47,564 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | 47,121 | +0.3% |
| 2020 | 46,980 | −0.2% |
| 2019 | 47,076 | +2.5% |
| 2018 | 45,906 | −17% |
| 2017 | 55,535 | −0.2% |
| 2016 | 55,662 | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 55,479 | −3.0% |
| 2014 | 57,200 | −0.1% |
| 2013 | 57,243 | −1.4% |
| 2012 | 58,031 | +1.4% |
| 2011 | 57,246 | −7.8% |
| 2010 | 62,113 | +3.3% |
| 2009 | 60,156 | +2.0% |
| 2008 | 58,969 | +2.2% |
| 2007 | 57,720 | +2.3% |
| 2006 | 56,400 | +2.3% |
| 2005 | 55,126 | +2.7% |
| 2004 | 53,701 | +2.0% |
| 2003 | 52,672 | +2.8% |
| 2002 | 51,236 | +2.2% |
| 2001 | 50,116 | −0.5% |
| 2000 | 50,347 | +3.8% |
| 1999 | 48,509 | +4.8% |
| 1998 | 46,297 | +1.1% |
| 1997 | 45,799 | +6.5% |
| 1996 | 43,021 | −6.1% |
| 1995 | 45,800 | −11% |
| 1994 | 51,400 | −5.3% |
| 1993 | 54,257 | +4.9% |
| 1992 | 51,700 | +5.5% |
| 1991 | 49,000 | +8.2% |
| 1990 | 45,300 | −5.8% |
| 1989 | 48,100 | −2.2% |
| 1988 | 49,190 | +3.1% |
| 1987 | 47,700 | −0.4% |
| 1986 | 47,900 | +3.5% |
| 1985 | 46,300 | −3.3% |
| 1984 | 47,880 | +3.4% |
| 1983 | 46,325 | +2.9% |
| 1982 | 45,000 | +0.3% |
| 1981 | 44,880 | −0.3% |
| 1980 | 45,010 | +1.0% |
| 1979 | 44,550 | −2.7% |
| 1978 | 45,770 | −0.7% |
| 1977 | 46,070 | −1.2% |
| 1976 | 46,620 | −1.1% |
| 1975 | 47,150 | −1.8% |
| 1974 | 48,020 | +2.7% |
| 1973 | 46,742 | −1.4% |
| 1972 | 47,400 | −4.6% |
| 1971 | 49,660 | −5.7% |
| 1970 | 52,650 | −5.5% |
| 1969 | 55,740 | −5.7% |
| 1968 | 59,140 | −4.0% |
| 1967 | 61,600 | −8.1% |
| 1966 | 67,022 | −7.6% |
| 1965 | 72,500 | −4.6% |
| 1964 | 76,000 | −7.3% |
| 1963 | 82,000 | −8.9% |
| 1962 | 90,000 | −5.3% |
| 1961 | 95,071 | — |
Questions and answers
How many horses are there in Switzerland?
Switzerland had 48,006 horses in 2024, 0.09% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Switzerland rank in the world by number of horses?
Switzerland ranked 63rd 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 Switzerland changed?
It fell by 16% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +2.7% for the world. The record was 95,071 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.