Sheep in Botswana
Botswana had 148,744 sheep in 2024, the 125th largest in the world (0.01% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 35%. The record was 409,000 head in 1997.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 148,744 head
- World rank
- 125 of 177
- 10-year change
- −35%
- Record
- 409,000 head
- 1997
Sheep in Botswana, 1961–2024 (head)
Botswana compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.01%
- 0.02% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −35%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 123 | Czechia | 180,368 | 0.01% |
| 124 | North Korea | 164,779 | 0.01% |
| 125 | Botswana | 148,744 | 0.01% |
| 126 | Denmark | 147,980 | 0.01% |
| 127 | Montenegro | 144,916 | 0.01% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; Botswana is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 148,744 | −15% |
| 2023 | 175,892 | −13% |
| 2022 | 201,405 | −9.5% |
| 2021 | 222,605 | −4.5% |
| 2020 | 233,078 | −4.0% |
| 2019 | 242,911 | +1.9% |
| 2018 | 238,340 | +1.6% |
| 2017 | 234,621 | −2.1% |
| 2016 | 239,715 | −1.1% |
| 2015 | 242,432 | +6.7% |
| 2014 | 227,247 | −17% |
| 2013 | 274,357 | −6.7% |
| 2012 | 293,966 | −0.7% |
| 2011 | 295,894 | +6.0% |
| 2010 | 279,237 | −4.8% |
| 2009 | 293,395 | −3.2% |
| 2008 | 303,238 | +20% |
| 2007 | 252,992 | +49% |
| 2006 | 170,000 | +3.0% |
| 2005 | 165,000 | +14% |
| 2004 | 145,000 | −34% |
| 2003 | 220,000 | −19% |
| 2002 | 273,000 | −11% |
| 2001 | 306,000 | −7.3% |
| 2000 | 330,000 | −11% |
| 1999 | 369,000 | −6.1% |
| 1998 | 393,000 | −3.9% |
| 1997 | 409,000 | +17% |
| 1996 | 349,000 | +3.6% |
| 1995 | 337,000 | +42% |
| 1994 | 238,000 | −4.8% |
| 1993 | 250,100 | −17% |
| 1992 | 300,000 | −14% |
| 1991 | 349,000 | +10% |
| 1990 | 316,900 | +11% |
| 1989 | 285,700 | +10% |
| 1988 | 258,900 | +7.7% |
| 1987 | 240,300 | +4.9% |
| 1986 | 229,000 | +15% |
| 1985 | 199,700 | +19% |
| 1984 | 167,200 | +1.5% |
| 1983 | 164,700 | +18% |
| 1982 | 140,000 | +0.2% |
| 1981 | 139,700 | −5.9% |
| 1980 | 148,500 | −2.3% |
| 1979 | 152,000 | +41% |
| 1978 | 107,500 | −37% |
| 1977 | 170,000 | −29% |
| 1976 | 240,000 | −14% |
| 1975 | 280,000 | −20% |
| 1974 | 350,000 | +6.7% |
| 1973 | 328,000 | −18% |
| 1972 | 401,654 | +2.5% |
| 1971 | 391,715 | +22% |
| 1970 | 320,000 | +15% |
| 1969 | 278,830 | +21% |
| 1968 | 231,336 | +9.2% |
| 1967 | 211,764 | +40% |
| 1966 | 151,133 | +21% |
| 1965 | 125,335 | −8.4% |
| 1964 | 136,847 | +7.3% |
| 1963 | 127,500 | +14% |
| 1962 | 111,524 | +16% |
| 1961 | 96,160 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in Botswana?
Botswana had 148,744 sheep in 2024, 0.01% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Botswana rank in the world by number of sheep?
Botswana ranked 125th 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 Botswana changed?
It fell by 35% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. The record was 409,000 head in 1997.
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 Botswana 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.