Sheep in Ireland
Ireland had 3.6 million sheep in 2024, the 57th largest in the world (0.26% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 30%. The record was 7.6 million head in 2000.
- Animals, 2024
- 3.6 million head
- World rank
- 57 of 177
- 10-year change
- −30%
- Record
- 7.6 million head
- 2000
Sheep in Ireland, 1961–2024 (head)
Ireland compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.26%
- 0.44% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −30%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | Guinea | 3,995,308 | 0.29% |
| 56 | Bangladesh | 3,903,000 | 0.29% |
| 57 | Ireland | 3,591,640 | 0.26% |
| 58 | Cameroon | 3,551,761 | 0.26% |
| 59 | Jordan | 3,076,021 | 0.23% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; Ireland is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3,591,640 | −4.0% |
| 2023 | 3,740,910 | −6.9% |
| 2022 | 4,018,030 | +0.7% |
| 2021 | 3,991,180 | +2.9% |
| 2020 | 3,877,220 | +1.8% |
| 2019 | 3,809,370 | +0.3% |
| 2018 | 3,798,480 | −27% |
| 2017 | 5,197,140 | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 5,179,200 | +0.8% |
| 2015 | 5,138,700 | +0.8% |
| 2014 | 5,096,800 | +1.8% |
| 2013 | 5,007,000 | −3.2% |
| 2012 | 5,170,000 | +7.0% |
| 2011 | 4,830,000 | +1.8% |
| 2010 | 4,745,400 | −0.7% |
| 2009 | 4,778,000 | −5.6% |
| 2008 | 5,061,400 | −8.3% |
| 2007 | 5,521,600 | −7.6% |
| 2006 | 5,973,200 | −6.6% |
| 2005 | 6,392,200 | −5.7% |
| 2004 | 6,777,200 | −1.0% |
| 2003 | 6,848,900 | −5.0% |
| 2002 | 7,209,600 | −1.6% |
| 2001 | 7,330,300 | −3.0% |
| 2000 | 7,555,000 | +36% |
| 1999 | 5,559,100 | −0.3% |
| 1998 | 5,577,200 | +4.4% |
| 1997 | 5,341,900 | −3.6% |
| 1996 | 5,543,400 | −3.4% |
| 1995 | 5,739,700 | −3.8% |
| 1994 | 5,966,500 | −2.3% |
| 1993 | 6,109,200 | +2.1% |
| 1992 | 5,982,600 | +2.0% |
| 1991 | 5,863,700 | +2.6% |
| 1990 | 5,713,900 | +14% |
| 1989 | 4,991,200 | +16% |
| 1988 | 4,300,600 | +17% |
| 1987 | 3,671,800 | +11% |
| 1986 | 3,304,000 | +7.2% |
| 1985 | 3,081,800 | +9.5% |
| 1984 | 2,813,200 | +7.8% |
| 1983 | 2,608,500 | +6.5% |
| 1982 | 2,449,300 | +4.5% |
| 1981 | 2,343,600 | −0.7% |
| 1980 | 2,359,600 | −2.4% |
| 1979 | 2,417,800 | −4.3% |
| 1978 | 2,526,000 | −2.2% |
| 1977 | 2,581,900 | −2.7% |
| 1976 | 2,653,200 | −2.1% |
| 1975 | 2,711,200 | −4.7% |
| 1974 | 2,844,500 | +0.3% |
| 1973 | 2,834,600 | −1.0% |
| 1972 | 2,862,000 | +0.9% |
| 1971 | 2,835,800 | +1.7% |
| 1970 | 2,788,200 | −2.2% |
| 1969 | 2,851,500 | −4.6% |
| 1968 | 2,990,200 | −2.2% |
| 1967 | 3,058,800 | −12% |
| 1966 | 3,464,000 | +0.2% |
| 1965 | 3,455,800 | +2.0% |
| 1964 | 3,386,500 | +1.6% |
| 1963 | 3,333,100 | −1.3% |
| 1962 | 3,375,900 | +8.7% |
| 1961 | 3,106,500 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in Ireland?
Ireland had 3.6 million sheep in 2024, 0.26% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Ireland rank in the world by number of sheep?
Ireland ranked 57th 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 Ireland changed?
It fell by 30% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. The record was 7.6 million head in 2000.
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.