Pigs in New Zealand
New Zealand had 243,588 pigs in 2024, the 97th largest in the world (0.03% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 15%. The record was 771,450 head in 1964.
- Animals, 2024
- 243,588 head
- World rank
- 97 of 171
- 10-year change
- −15%
- Record
- 771,450 head
- 1964
Pigs in New Zealand, 1961–2024 (head)
New Zealand compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.03%
- 0.03% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −15%
- world −2.8%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95 | Liberia | 273,192 | 0.03% |
| 96 | El Salvador | 245,241 | 0.03% |
| 97 | New Zealand | 243,588 | 0.03% |
| 98 | Slovenia | 232,350 | 0.02% |
| 99 | Gabon | 225,991 | 0.02% |
Map of pigs numbers by country
Share of the world total; New Zealand is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 243,588 | −2.5% |
| 2023 | 249,796 | −9.3% |
| 2022 | 275,291 | +11% |
| 2021 | 248,717 | +6.0% |
| 2020 | 234,533 | −8.4% |
| 2019 | 255,934 | −11% |
| 2018 | 287,051 | +4.8% |
| 2017 | 273,860 | +7.6% |
| 2016 | 254,607 | −5.1% |
| 2015 | 268,300 | −6.5% |
| 2014 | 286,971 | −3.6% |
| 2013 | 297,724 | −5.1% |
| 2012 | 313,703 | −4.0% |
| 2011 | 326,788 | −2.5% |
| 2010 | 335,114 | +3.8% |
| 2009 | 322,788 | −0.6% |
| 2008 | 324,594 | −11% |
| 2007 | 366,671 | +3.1% |
| 2006 | 355,501 | +4.1% |
| 2005 | 341,465 | −12% |
| 2004 | 388,640 | +3.0% |
| 2003 | 377,249 | +10% |
| 2002 | 342,015 | −3.5% |
| 2001 | 354,489 | −3.9% |
| 2000 | 368,754 | −0.0% |
| 1999 | 368,887 | +5.2% |
| 1998 | 350,730 | −14% |
| 1997 | 406,924 | −4.0% |
| 1996 | 424,000 | −1.6% |
| 1995 | 431,000 | +1.9% |
| 1994 | 422,766 | +7.0% |
| 1993 | 395,117 | −3.9% |
| 1992 | 411,148 | +0.9% |
| 1991 | 407,306 | +3.2% |
| 1990 | 394,700 | −4.0% |
| 1989 | 411,334 | −0.5% |
| 1988 | 413,558 | −2.8% |
| 1987 | 425,542 | −2.2% |
| 1986 | 435,012 | −4.3% |
| 1985 | 454,462 | +4.1% |
| 1984 | 436,396 | +6.9% |
| 1983 | 408,403 | +0.6% |
| 1982 | 405,771 | −3.4% |
| 1981 | 420,259 | −3.2% |
| 1980 | 434,084 | −2.1% |
| 1979 | 443,452 | −5.9% |
| 1978 | 471,229 | −2.8% |
| 1977 | 484,961 | +12% |
| 1976 | 432,844 | +2.5% |
| 1975 | 422,391 | −8.5% |
| 1974 | 461,726 | −3.0% |
| 1973 | 475,842 | −0.2% |
| 1972 | 476,989 | −14% |
| 1971 | 552,279 | −4.4% |
| 1970 | 577,925 | +4.4% |
| 1969 | 553,388 | −9.9% |
| 1968 | 614,177 | +1.9% |
| 1967 | 602,695 | −9.6% |
| 1966 | 666,905 | −6.9% |
| 1965 | 716,008 | −7.2% |
| 1964 | 771,450 | +0.7% |
| 1963 | 766,025 | +12% |
| 1962 | 685,541 | +4.6% |
| 1961 | 655,432 | — |
Questions and answers
How many pigs are there in New Zealand?
New Zealand had 243,588 pigs in 2024, 0.03% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does New Zealand rank in the world by number of pigs?
New Zealand ranked 97th of 171 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in China with 44.4% of the world total.
How has the number of pigs in New Zealand changed?
It fell by 15% between 2014 and 2024, compared with −2.8% for the world. The record was 771,450 head in 1964.
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.