Sheep in Australia
Australia had 79.3 million sheep in 2024, the 3rd largest in the world (5.82% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 9.3%. The record was 180 million head in 1970.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 79.3 million head
- World rank
- 3 of 177
- 10-year change
- +9.3%
- Record
- 180 million head
- 1970
Sheep in Australia, 1961–2024 (head)
Australia compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 5.8%
- 6.3% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +9.3%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 182,939,000 | 13.4% |
| 2 | India | 114,623,765 | 8.4% |
| 3 | Australia | 79,330,000 | 5.8% |
| 4 | Iran | 53,820,779 | 3.9% |
| 5 | Nigeria | 52,136,324 | 3.8% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; Australia is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 79,330,000 | +10% |
| 2023 | 72,062,539 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | 70,234,655 | +3.2% |
| 2021 | 68,047,402 | +7.1% |
| 2020 | 63,529,366 | −3.4% |
| 2019 | 65,755,408 | −6.2% |
| 2018 | 70,067,316 | −2.9% |
| 2017 | 72,125,334 | +6.8% |
| 2016 | 67,543,092 | −4.7% |
| 2015 | 70,909,812 | −2.3% |
| 2014 | 72,612,000 | −3.9% |
| 2013 | 75,547,848 | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 74,721,552 | +2.2% |
| 2011 | 73,098,760 | +7.4% |
| 2010 | 68,085,496 | −6.4% |
| 2009 | 72,739,696 | −5.5% |
| 2008 | 76,938,000 | −10% |
| 2007 | 85,711,184 | −5.8% |
| 2006 | 91,028,408 | −10.0% |
| 2005 | 101,124,888 | −0.2% |
| 2004 | 101,287,440 | +2.1% |
| 2003 | 99,252,376 | −6.5% |
| 2002 | 106,166,000 | −4.3% |
| 2001 | 110,900,000 | −6.5% |
| 2000 | 118,552,000 | +2.7% |
| 1999 | 115,456,000 | −1.7% |
| 1998 | 117,491,000 | −2.3% |
| 1997 | 120,228,000 | −0.7% |
| 1996 | 121,116,064 | +0.2% |
| 1995 | 120,862,000 | −8.8% |
| 1994 | 132,569,000 | −4.0% |
| 1993 | 138,102,064 | −6.8% |
| 1992 | 148,202,896 | −9.2% |
| 1991 | 163,237,568 | −4.1% |
| 1990 | 170,296,576 | +5.4% |
| 1989 | 161,603,376 | +6.0% |
| 1988 | 152,443,152 | +2.2% |
| 1987 | 149,157,136 | +1.6% |
| 1986 | 146,776,000 | −2.0% |
| 1985 | 149,746,576 | +7.5% |
| 1984 | 139,241,584 | +4.5% |
| 1983 | 133,236,960 | −3.4% |
| 1982 | 137,976,400 | +2.7% |
| 1981 | 134,407,248 | −1.2% |
| 1980 | 135,984,960 | +1.3% |
| 1979 | 134,221,888 | +2.1% |
| 1978 | 131,445,392 | −2.9% |
| 1977 | 135,360,000 | −8.9% |
| 1976 | 148,643,008 | −2.0% |
| 1975 | 151,653,216 | +4.5% |
| 1974 | 145,175,312 | +3.7% |
| 1973 | 140,028,576 | −14% |
| 1972 | 162,910,384 | −8.4% |
| 1971 | 177,792,048 | −1.3% |
| 1970 | 180,079,584 | +3.1% |
| 1969 | 174,602,400 | +4.6% |
| 1968 | 166,912,000 | +1.6% |
| 1967 | 164,236,880 | +4.2% |
| 1966 | 157,563,168 | −7.7% |
| 1965 | 170,621,488 | +3.4% |
| 1964 | 164,980,864 | +4.0% |
| 1963 | 158,626,288 | +0.6% |
| 1962 | 157,712,336 | +3.3% |
| 1961 | 152,678,576 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in Australia?
Australia had 79.3 million sheep in 2024, 5.8% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Australia rank in the world by number of sheep?
Australia ranked 3rd of 177 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in China with 13.4% of the world total.
How has the number of sheep in Australia changed?
It rose by 9.3% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. The record was 180 million head in 1970.
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 Australia is estimated 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.