Sheep in Denmark
Denmark had 147,980 sheep in 2024, the 126th largest in the world (0.01% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 3.6%. The record was 188,400 head in 1991.
- Animals, 2024
- 147,980 head
- World rank
- 126 of 177
- 10-year change
- −3.6%
- Record
- 188,400 head
- 1991
Sheep in Denmark, 1961–2024 (head)
Denmark compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.01%
- 0.01% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −3.6%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 128 | Malaysia | 139,393 | 0.01% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; Denmark is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 147,980 | −3.0% |
| 2023 | 152,572 | +15% |
| 2022 | 132,510 | −2.2% |
| 2021 | 135,487 | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 135,339 | −1.9% |
| 2019 | 138,010 | −4.0% |
| 2018 | 143,797 | −6.7% |
| 2017 | 154,129 | +4.7% |
| 2016 | 147,209 | +1.9% |
| 2015 | 144,418 | −5.9% |
| 2014 | 153,482 | +1.4% |
| 2013 | 151,300 | −1.6% |
| 2012 | 153,691 | +6.8% |
| 2011 | 143,890 | −9.9% |
| 2010 | 159,626 | +54% |
| 2009 | 103,977 | −24% |
| 2008 | 136,049 | −13% |
| 2007 | 156,503 | −7.9% |
| 2006 | 170,013 | −1.8% |
| 2005 | 173,203 | +23% |
| 2004 | 140,950 | −1.9% |
| 2003 | 143,699 | +9.6% |
| 2002 | 131,063 | −14% |
| 2001 | 151,855 | +4.7% |
| 2000 | 145,000 | +1.5% |
| 1999 | 142,900 | −8.4% |
| 1998 | 156,000 | +9.9% |
| 1997 | 142,000 | −16% |
| 1996 | 170,000 | +17% |
| 1995 | 145,000 | 0.0% |
| 1994 | 145,000 | −7.6% |
| 1993 | 157,000 | −14% |
| 1992 | 182,000 | −3.4% |
| 1991 | 188,400 | +18% |
| 1990 | 159,000 | +10% |
| 1989 | 144,000 | +16% |
| 1988 | 124,000 | +23% |
| 1987 | 101,000 | +94% |
| 1986 | 52,000 | 0.0% |
| 1985 | 52,000 | −5.5% |
| 1984 | 55,000 | +5.8% |
| 1983 | 52,000 | +6.1% |
| 1982 | 49,000 | −11% |
| 1981 | 55,167 | −1.5% |
| 1980 | 56,000 | +3.8% |
| 1979 | 53,963 | −2.8% |
| 1978 | 55,509 | −1.3% |
| 1977 | 56,253 | −5.4% |
| 1976 | 59,485 | −2.3% |
| 1975 | 60,861 | +3.2% |
| 1974 | 58,987 | +5.7% |
| 1973 | 55,824 | +7.7% |
| 1972 | 51,827 | −8.6% |
| 1971 | 56,674 | −19% |
| 1970 | 69,610 | −23% |
| 1969 | 89,847 | −18% |
| 1968 | 109,884 | −10% |
| 1967 | 122,096 | +8.9% |
| 1966 | 112,126 | +21% |
| 1965 | 92,957 | +30% |
| 1964 | 71,235 | +16% |
| 1963 | 61,256 | +17% |
| 1962 | 52,158 | +11% |
| 1961 | 47,164 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in Denmark?
Denmark had 147,980 sheep in 2024, 0.01% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Denmark rank in the world by number of sheep?
Denmark ranked 126th 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 Denmark changed?
It fell by 3.6% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. The record was 188,400 head in 1991.
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.