Sheep in Japan
Japan had 15,151 sheep in 2024, the 151st largest in the world (0.00% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 14%. The record was 677,000 head in 1961.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 15,151 head
- World rank
- 151 of 177
- 10-year change
- +14%
- Record
- 677,000 head
- 1961
Sheep in Japan, 1961–2024 (head)
Japan compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.00%
- 0.00% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +14%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 149 | Belize | 16,798 | 0.00% |
| 150 | Trinidad and Tobago | 15,471 | 0.00% |
| 151 | Japan | 15,151 | 0.00% |
| 152 | Malta | 14,560 | 0.00% |
| 153 | Puerto Rico | 12,791 | 0.00% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; Japan is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15,151 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | 14,609 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | 14,148 | +2.6% |
| 2021 | 13,783 | +2.7% |
| 2020 | 13,421 | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 13,363 | −0.6% |
| 2018 | 13,441 | −1.2% |
| 2017 | 13,600 | −2.1% |
| 2016 | 13,890 | +2.2% |
| 2015 | 13,595 | +2.2% |
| 2014 | 13,300 | +2.3% |
| 2013 | 13,000 | +1.6% |
| 2012 | 12,800 | +2.4% |
| 2011 | 12,500 | +4.2% |
| 2010 | 12,000 | 0.0% |
| 2009 | 12,000 | +20% |
| 2008 | 10,000 | −4.8% |
| 2007 | 10,500 | +17% |
| 2006 | 9,000 | −10.0% |
| 2005 | 10,000 | −9.1% |
| 2004 | 11,000 | 0.0% |
| 2003 | 11,000 | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 11,000 | +10% |
| 2001 | 10,000 | 0.0% |
| 2000 | 10,000 | −17% |
| 1999 | 12,000 | −7.7% |
| 1998 | 13,000 | −20% |
| 1997 | 16,300 | −9.4% |
| 1996 | 18,000 | −10.0% |
| 1995 | 20,000 | −20% |
| 1994 | 24,900 | −8.5% |
| 1993 | 27,200 | −6.8% |
| 1992 | 29,200 | −3.6% |
| 1991 | 30,300 | −1.3% |
| 1990 | 30,700 | +3.0% |
| 1989 | 29,800 | +4.6% |
| 1988 | 28,500 | +4.8% |
| 1987 | 27,200 | +3.8% |
| 1986 | 26,200 | +9.6% |
| 1985 | 23,900 | +7.7% |
| 1984 | 22,200 | +7.2% |
| 1983 | 20,700 | +8.9% |
| 1982 | 19,000 | +19% |
| 1981 | 15,900 | +33% |
| 1980 | 12,000 | +0.8% |
| 1979 | 11,900 | +8.2% |
| 1978 | 11,000 | +2.6% |
| 1977 | 10,720 | +5.2% |
| 1976 | 10,190 | −16% |
| 1975 | 12,060 | −25% |
| 1974 | 15,980 | −7.5% |
| 1973 | 17,270 | −19% |
| 1972 | 21,434 | −19% |
| 1971 | 26,304 | +23% |
| 1970 | 21,392 | −66% |
| 1969 | 63,680 | −24% |
| 1968 | 83,410 | −26% |
| 1967 | 113,300 | −23% |
| 1966 | 146,270 | −29% |
| 1965 | 207,060 | −24% |
| 1964 | 274,000 | −30% |
| 1963 | 389,000 | −23% |
| 1962 | 504,000 | −26% |
| 1961 | 677,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in Japan?
Japan had 15,151 sheep in 2024, 0.00% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Japan rank in the world by number of sheep?
Japan ranked 151st 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 Japan changed?
It rose by 14% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. The record was 677,000 head in 1961.
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 Japan 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.