Sheep in Canada
Canada had 822,000 sheep in 2024, the 83rd largest in the world (0.06% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 4.5%. The record was 994,200 head in 2004.
- Animals, 2024
- 822,000 head
- World rank
- 83 of 177
- 10-year change
- −4.5%
- Record
- 994,200 head
- 2004
Sheep in Canada, 1961–2024 (head)
Canada compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.06%
- 0.07% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −4.5%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 81 | DR Congo | 920,510 | 0.07% |
| 82 | Hungary | 846,800 | 0.06% |
| 83 | Canada | 822,000 | 0.06% |
| 84 | Qatar | 804,695 | 0.06% |
| 85 | Zimbabwe | 746,277 | 0.05% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; Canada is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 822,000 | −2.9% |
| 2023 | 846,800 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 822,200 | +1.0% |
| 2021 | 813,700 | +0.4% |
| 2020 | 810,800 | −2.1% |
| 2019 | 827,900 | −0.2% |
| 2018 | 829,400 | +1.9% |
| 2017 | 813,900 | −0.1% |
| 2016 | 815,100 | −1.1% |
| 2015 | 824,300 | −4.2% |
| 2014 | 860,700 | −3.6% |
| 2013 | 892,900 | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 883,200 | +0.4% |
| 2011 | 879,900 | +2.9% |
| 2010 | 855,300 | +1.4% |
| 2009 | 843,600 | −0.7% |
| 2008 | 849,500 | −4.1% |
| 2007 | 886,200 | −0.9% |
| 2006 | 893,800 | −8.6% |
| 2005 | 977,600 | −1.7% |
| 2004 | 994,200 | +1.9% |
| 2003 | 975,300 | −1.8% |
| 2002 | 993,600 | +4.8% |
| 2001 | 947,800 | +20% |
| 2000 | 793,000 | +11% |
| 1999 | 717,000 | +8.3% |
| 1998 | 662,000 | +5.4% |
| 1997 | 627,800 | −2.4% |
| 1996 | 643,000 | +4.2% |
| 1995 | 617,300 | −3.4% |
| 1994 | 639,300 | +1.1% |
| 1993 | 632,500 | −2.4% |
| 1992 | 647,900 | +3.1% |
| 1991 | 628,300 | +5.6% |
| 1990 | 595,000 | +6.2% |
| 1989 | 560,400 | +7.7% |
| 1988 | 520,500 | +7.3% |
| 1987 | 484,900 | −0.9% |
| 1986 | 489,500 | −4.7% |
| 1985 | 513,500 | −6.7% |
| 1984 | 550,300 | −2.7% |
| 1983 | 565,500 | −1.1% |
| 1982 | 571,600 | +7.9% |
| 1981 | 529,900 | +9.2% |
| 1980 | 485,100 | +14% |
| 1979 | 425,700 | +9.7% |
| 1978 | 388,000 | −0.6% |
| 1977 | 390,400 | −15% |
| 1976 | 458,300 | −7.8% |
| 1975 | 497,100 | −6.1% |
| 1974 | 529,400 | −6.3% |
| 1973 | 565,000 | −4.2% |
| 1972 | 589,600 | +8.0% |
| 1971 | 546,000 | +3.4% |
| 1970 | 528,000 | +37% |
| 1969 | 385,600 | −8.4% |
| 1968 | 421,000 | −9.2% |
| 1967 | 463,700 | −4.6% |
| 1966 | 486,300 | −11% |
| 1965 | 549,000 | −9.8% |
| 1964 | 608,500 | −6.4% |
| 1963 | 650,400 | −9.2% |
| 1962 | 716,000 | −5.4% |
| 1961 | 757,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in Canada?
Canada had 822,000 sheep in 2024, 0.06% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Canada rank in the world by number of sheep?
Canada ranked 83rd 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 Canada changed?
It fell by 4.5% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. The record was 994,200 head in 2004.
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.