Sheep in Ethiopia
Ethiopia had 41.1 million sheep in 2024, the 8th largest in the world (3.01% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 40%. The record was 42.9 million head in 2020.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 41.1 million head
- World rank
- 8 of 177
- 10-year change
- +40%
- Record
- 42.9 million head
- 2020
Sheep in Ethiopia, 1993–2024 (head)
Ethiopia compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 3.0%
- 2.5% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +40%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Chad | 45,168,961 | 3.3% |
| 7 | Turkey | 44,080,584 | 3.2% |
| 8 | Ethiopia | 41,050,910 | 3.0% |
| 9 | Sudan | 40,705,303 | 3.0% |
| 10 | Pakistan | 32,731,000 | 2.4% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; Ethiopia is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 41,050,910 | +10% |
| 2023 | 37,232,386 | −2.1% |
| 2022 | 38,013,272 | −6.5% |
| 2021 | 40,663,456 | −5.2% |
| 2020 | 42,914,865 | +7.6% |
| 2019 | 39,894,394 | +21% |
| 2018 | 33,020,392 | +5.5% |
| 2017 | 31,302,257 | +2.0% |
| 2016 | 30,697,942 | +6.2% |
| 2015 | 28,892,380 | −1.5% |
| 2014 | 29,332,382 | +7.3% |
| 2013 | 27,347,933 | +7.3% |
| 2012 | 25,489,204 | +5.2% |
| 2011 | 24,221,384 | −5.0% |
| 2010 | 25,509,004 | −1.8% |
| 2009 | 25,979,920 | −0.5% |
| 2008 | 26,117,272 | 0.0% |
| 2007 | 26,117,272 | +11% |
| 2006 | 23,633,010 | +14% |
| 2005 | 20,733,912 | +15% |
| 2004 | 18,074,720 | +13% |
| 2003 | 16,000,000 | +12% |
| 2002 | 14,321,780 | +25% |
| 2001 | 11,438,200 | +4.5% |
| 2000 | 10,950,680 | −10% |
| 1999 | 12,235,000 | −8.9% |
| 1998 | 13,428,480 | +7.4% |
| 1997 | 12,500,000 | +4.6% |
| 1996 | 11,950,000 | +9.6% |
| 1995 | 10,900,000 | +0.3% |
| 1994 | 10,870,000 | +0.2% |
| 1993 | 10,850,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in Ethiopia?
Ethiopia had 41.1 million sheep in 2024, 3.0% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Ethiopia rank in the world by number of sheep?
Ethiopia ranked 8th 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 Ethiopia changed?
It rose by 40% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. The record was 42.9 million head in 2020.
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 Ethiopia is imputed 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.