Sheep in Iran
Iran had 53.8 million sheep in 2024, the 4th largest in the world (3.95% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 71%. The record was 55.6 million head in 2022.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 53.8 million head
- World rank
- 4 of 177
- 10-year change
- +71%
- Record
- 55.6 million head
- 2022
Sheep in Iran, 1961–2024 (head)
Iran compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 3.9%
- 2.7% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +71%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | India | 114,623,765 | 8.4% |
| 3 | Australia | 79,330,000 | 5.8% |
| 4 | Iran | 53,820,779 | 3.9% |
| 5 | Nigeria | 52,136,324 | 3.8% |
| 6 | Chad | 45,168,961 | 3.3% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; Iran is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 53,820,779 | −2.5% |
| 2023 | 55,202,107 | −0.7% |
| 2022 | 55,582,000 | +3.2% |
| 2021 | 53,868,000 | +16% |
| 2020 | 46,587,010 | +13% |
| 2019 | 41,303,611 | +3.3% |
| 2018 | 39,998,423 | −0.1% |
| 2017 | 40,029,687 | −8.5% |
| 2016 | 43,757,013 | −2.2% |
| 2015 | 44,731,757 | +42% |
| 2014 | 31,420,569 | −31% |
| 2013 | 45,430,000 | −1.7% |
| 2012 | 46,212,000 | −1.0% |
| 2011 | 46,679,000 | −1.9% |
| 2010 | 47,591,000 | −1.1% |
| 2009 | 48,133,000 | −3.7% |
| 2008 | 49,975,000 | −4.4% |
| 2007 | 52,271,000 | 0.0% |
| 2006 | 52,271,000 | +0.1% |
| 2005 | 52,219,000 | +0.2% |
| 2004 | 52,115,000 | +0.3% |
| 2003 | 51,959,000 | +0.5% |
| 2002 | 51,701,000 | −4.1% |
| 2001 | 53,900,100 | 0.0% |
| 2000 | 53,900,100 | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 53,900,000 | +1.2% |
| 1998 | 53,245,000 | +2.2% |
| 1997 | 52,117,000 | +1.2% |
| 1996 | 51,499,000 | +1.2% |
| 1995 | 50,889,000 | +1.2% |
| 1994 | 50,285,000 | +1.2% |
| 1993 | 49,689,000 | +1.2% |
| 1992 | 49,100,000 | +9.9% |
| 1991 | 44,681,392 | +0.2% |
| 1990 | 44,581,392 | −0.9% |
| 1989 | 45,000,000 | +11% |
| 1988 | 40,665,008 | −0.8% |
| 1987 | 41,000,000 | −4.0% |
| 1986 | 42,694,624 | +6.7% |
| 1985 | 40,000,000 | +5.3% |
| 1984 | 38,000,000 | +5.6% |
| 1983 | 36,000,000 | +4.0% |
| 1982 | 34,604,496 | +0.3% |
| 1981 | 34,500,000 | 0.0% |
| 1980 | 34,500,000 | −2.0% |
| 1979 | 35,219,000 | −2.0% |
| 1978 | 35,952,000 | +13% |
| 1977 | 31,872,000 | +6.2% |
| 1976 | 30,000,000 | +6.8% |
| 1975 | 28,085,536 | −2.4% |
| 1974 | 28,771,008 | +3.4% |
| 1973 | 27,819,008 | −2.4% |
| 1972 | 28,500,000 | −1.7% |
| 1971 | 29,000,000 | −1.7% |
| 1970 | 29,500,000 | −1.7% |
| 1969 | 30,000,000 | −3.6% |
| 1968 | 31,130,000 | +2.2% |
| 1967 | 30,467,008 | +5.1% |
| 1966 | 28,990,000 | −3.4% |
| 1965 | 30,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1964 | 30,000,000 | +1.7% |
| 1963 | 29,500,000 | −4.0% |
| 1962 | 30,720,000 | −3.5% |
| 1961 | 31,832,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in Iran?
Iran had 53.8 million sheep in 2024, 3.9% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Iran rank in the world by number of sheep?
Iran ranked 4th 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 Iran changed?
It rose by 71% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. The record was 55.6 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; the 2024 figure for Iran is estimated 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.