Sheep in China
China had 183 million sheep in 2024, the largest total in the world (13.4% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 20%. The record was 194 million head in 2022.
- Animals, 2024
- 183 million head
- World rank
- 1 of 177
- 10-year change
- +20%
- Record
- 194 million head
- 2022
Sheep in China, 1961–2024 (head)
China compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 13.4%
- 13.2% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +20%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; China is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 182,939,000 | −5.2% |
| 2023 | 192,983,700 | −0.5% |
| 2022 | 194,030,100 | +4.1% |
| 2021 | 186,376,800 | +7.7% |
| 2020 | 173,095,300 | +5.9% |
| 2019 | 163,489,620 | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 161,388,200 | −1.6% |
| 2017 | 164,078,873 | −1.6% |
| 2016 | 166,667,800 | +2.7% |
| 2015 | 162,237,700 | +6.2% |
| 2014 | 152,770,000 | −0.0% |
| 2013 | 152,777,000 | +4.8% |
| 2012 | 145,804,400 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 145,767,100 | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 145,351,800 | +1.4% |
| 2009 | 143,289,400 | +0.7% |
| 2008 | 142,282,000 | −2.6% |
| 2007 | 146,018,000 | −3.5% |
| 2006 | 151,337,000 | −0.6% |
| 2005 | 152,305,000 | +6.2% |
| 2004 | 143,395,000 | +7.0% |
| 2003 | 133,997,000 | +2.6% |
| 2002 | 130,628,000 | +0.5% |
| 2001 | 130,026,000 | −0.8% |
| 2000 | 131,095,000 | +2.9% |
| 1999 | 127,352,000 | +5.3% |
| 1998 | 120,956,000 | +6.0% |
| 1997 | 114,125,000 | −10% |
| 1996 | 127,263,100 | +8.4% |
| 1995 | 117,444,300 | +5.2% |
| 1994 | 111,618,000 | +1.7% |
| 1993 | 109,719,000 | −1.0% |
| 1992 | 110,855,000 | −1.7% |
| 1991 | 112,816,000 | +1.4% |
| 1990 | 111,238,000 | +1.6% |
| 1989 | 109,465,296 | +7.7% |
| 1988 | 101,628,496 | +2.6% |
| 1987 | 99,009,008 | +5.1% |
| 1986 | 94,210,000 | −1.0% |
| 1985 | 95,193,008 | −3.8% |
| 1984 | 98,920,000 | −7.2% |
| 1983 | 106,570,000 | −2.6% |
| 1982 | 109,470,000 | +2.7% |
| 1981 | 106,627,008 | +4.0% |
| 1980 | 102,568,000 | +6.4% |
| 1979 | 96,397,008 | +3.1% |
| 1978 | 93,532,000 | +0.9% |
| 1977 | 92,705,008 | −2.8% |
| 1976 | 95,330,000 | +0.7% |
| 1975 | 94,700,000 | +1.6% |
| 1974 | 93,180,000 | +5.9% |
| 1973 | 87,980,000 | +0.7% |
| 1972 | 87,330,000 | +2.0% |
| 1971 | 85,630,000 | +7.4% |
| 1970 | 79,710,000 | −3.0% |
| 1969 | 82,210,000 | −0.1% |
| 1968 | 82,330,000 | +5.8% |
| 1967 | 77,780,000 | −0.6% |
| 1966 | 78,260,000 | +5.1% |
| 1965 | 74,450,000 | +6.8% |
| 1964 | 69,740,000 | +8.8% |
| 1963 | 64,120,000 | +5.5% |
| 1962 | 60,750,000 | −1.4% |
| 1961 | 61,640,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in China?
China had 183 million sheep in 2024, 13.4% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does China rank in the world by number of sheep?
China was the world’s largest herd in 2024, ahead of India.
How has the number of sheep in China changed?
It rose by 20% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. The record was 194 million head in 2022.
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.