Sheep in Brazil
Brazil had 21.9 million sheep in 2024, the 18th largest in the world (1.60% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 24%. This is the highest figure on record.
- Animals, 2024
- 21.9 million head
- World rank
- 18 of 177
- 10-year change
- +24%
- Record
- 21.9 million head
- 2024
Sheep in Brazil, 1961–2024 (head)
Brazil compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 1.6%
- 1.5% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +24%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | New Zealand | 23,583,001 | 1.7% |
| 17 | Saudi Arabia | 22,428,136 | 1.6% |
| 18 | Brazil | 21,862,326 | 1.6% |
| 19 | South Africa | 21,240,448 | 1.6% |
| 20 | Uzbekistan | 21,028,100 | 1.5% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; Brazil is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 21,862,326 | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 21,799,960 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | 21,520,872 | +4.8% |
| 2021 | 20,544,899 | −0.4% |
| 2020 | 20,623,064 | +3.3% |
| 2019 | 19,971,802 | +5.4% |
| 2018 | 18,947,352 | +1.8% |
| 2017 | 18,606,767 | +1.1% |
| 2016 | 18,403,947 | −0.0% |
| 2015 | 18,410,551 | +4.5% |
| 2014 | 17,614,454 | +1.9% |
| 2013 | 17,290,519 | +3.0% |
| 2012 | 16,789,492 | −5.0% |
| 2011 | 17,668,063 | +1.7% |
| 2010 | 17,380,581 | +3.4% |
| 2009 | 16,811,720 | +1.1% |
| 2008 | 16,630,408 | +2.4% |
| 2007 | 16,239,455 | +1.4% |
| 2006 | 16,019,170 | +2.8% |
| 2005 | 15,588,041 | +3.5% |
| 2004 | 15,057,838 | +3.4% |
| 2003 | 14,556,484 | +2.0% |
| 2002 | 14,277,061 | −2.5% |
| 2001 | 14,638,925 | −1.0% |
| 2000 | 14,784,958 | +2.7% |
| 1999 | 14,399,960 | +0.9% |
| 1998 | 14,268,387 | −1.8% |
| 1997 | 14,533,716 | −1.3% |
| 1996 | 14,725,503 | −20% |
| 1995 | 18,336,432 | −0.5% |
| 1994 | 18,436,098 | +2.4% |
| 1993 | 18,008,283 | −9.8% |
| 1992 | 19,955,874 | −0.9% |
| 1991 | 20,127,945 | +0.6% |
| 1990 | 20,014,512 | −0.1% |
| 1989 | 20,041,456 | −0.2% |
| 1988 | 20,084,880 | +1.1% |
| 1987 | 19,859,616 | +1.0% |
| 1986 | 19,659,744 | +5.4% |
| 1985 | 18,658,960 | +1.1% |
| 1984 | 18,447,248 | +1.8% |
| 1983 | 18,121,376 | −2.5% |
| 1982 | 18,588,000 | −2.4% |
| 1981 | 19,054,000 | +3.7% |
| 1980 | 18,381,008 | +3.2% |
| 1979 | 17,806,272 | +2.2% |
| 1978 | 17,418,304 | −3.3% |
| 1977 | 18,008,592 | +0.0% |
| 1976 | 18,002,160 | +1.0% |
| 1975 | 17,828,224 | +2.5% |
| 1974 | 17,400,000 | −0.6% |
| 1973 | 17,500,000 | 0.0% |
| 1972 | 17,500,000 | −0.8% |
| 1971 | 17,643,040 | −0.7% |
| 1970 | 17,773,008 | −0.6% |
| 1969 | 17,887,008 | +6.7% |
| 1968 | 16,767,000 | +4.0% |
| 1967 | 16,116,000 | −0.6% |
| 1966 | 16,219,000 | +0.7% |
| 1965 | 16,100,000 | +3.2% |
| 1964 | 15,600,000 | +4.0% |
| 1963 | 15,000,000 | +3.4% |
| 1962 | 14,500,000 | +3.6% |
| 1961 | 14,000,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in Brazil?
Brazil had 21.9 million sheep in 2024, 1.6% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Brazil rank in the world by number of sheep?
Brazil ranked 18th 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 Brazil changed?
It rose by 24% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. 2024 was the highest figure on record.
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.