Mules and hinnies in South Africa
South Africa had 16,068 mules and hinnies in 2024, the 25th largest in the world (0.21% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 7.1%. The record was 50,000 head in 1961.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 16,068 head
- World rank
- 25 of 65
- 10-year change
- +7.1%
- Record
- 50,000 head
- 1961
Mules and hinnies in South Africa, 1961–2024 (head)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.21%
- 0.16% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +7.1%
- world −16%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Somalia | 22,548 | 0.29% |
| 24 | Cuba | 20,051 | 0.26% |
| 25 | South Africa | 16,068 | 0.21% |
| 26 | Turkey | 13,856 | 0.18% |
| 27 | Algeria | 11,232 | 0.15% |
Map of mules and hinnies numbers by country
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16,068 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | 15,953 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | 15,838 | +0.7% |
| 2021 | 15,721 | +1.2% |
| 2020 | 15,534 | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 15,470 | +0.6% |
| 2018 | 15,382 | +0.7% |
| 2017 | 15,279 | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 15,162 | +0.6% |
| 2015 | 15,065 | +0.4% |
| 2014 | 15,000 | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 15,000 | +3.4% |
| 2012 | 14,500 | 0.0% |
| 2011 | 14,500 | +1.4% |
| 2010 | 14,300 | 0.0% |
| 2009 | 14,300 | +0.7% |
| 2008 | 14,200 | +0.7% |
| 2007 | 14,100 | +0.4% |
| 2006 | 14,050 | +0.4% |
| 2005 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 2004 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 2003 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 2001 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 2000 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1999 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1998 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1997 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1996 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1995 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1994 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1993 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1992 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1991 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1990 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1989 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1988 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1987 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1986 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1985 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1984 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1983 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1982 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1981 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1980 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1979 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1978 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1977 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1976 | 14,000 | 0.0% |
| 1975 | 14,000 | −6.7% |
| 1974 | 15,000 | −6.3% |
| 1973 | 16,000 | −5.9% |
| 1972 | 17,000 | −5.6% |
| 1971 | 18,000 | −5.3% |
| 1970 | 19,000 | −14% |
| 1969 | 22,000 | −12% |
| 1968 | 25,000 | −17% |
| 1967 | 30,000 | +114% |
| 1966 | 14,000 | −67% |
| 1965 | 43,000 | −6.5% |
| 1964 | 46,000 | −4.2% |
| 1963 | 48,000 | −4.0% |
| 1962 | 50,000 | 0.0% |
| 1961 | 50,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many mules and hinnies are there in South Africa?
South Africa had 16,068 mules and hinnies in 2024, 0.21% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world by number of mules and hinnies?
South Africa ranked 25th of 65 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in Mexico with 42.7% of the world total.
How has the number of mules and hinnies in South Africa changed?
It rose by 7.1% between 2014 and 2024, compared with −16% for the world. The record was 50,000 head in 1961.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2024 figure for South Africa is imputed by FAO. 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.