Sheep in Malta
Malta had 14,560 sheep in 2024, the 152nd largest in the world (0.00% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 38%. The record was 16,000 head in 1990.
- Animals, 2024
- 14,560 head
- World rank
- 152 of 177
- 10-year change
- +38%
- Record
- 16,000 head
- 1990
Sheep in Malta, 1961–2024 (head)
Malta compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.00%
- 0.00% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +38%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 154 | Barbados | 12,718 | 0.00% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; Malta is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14,560 | +4.1% |
| 2023 | 13,990 | −3.3% |
| 2022 | 14,470 | +14% |
| 2021 | 12,730 | −3.2% |
| 2020 | 13,150 | −0.1% |
| 2019 | 13,160 | −0.1% |
| 2018 | 13,170 | +12% |
| 2017 | 11,739 | +1.9% |
| 2016 | 11,523 | +4.0% |
| 2015 | 11,076 | +5.2% |
| 2014 | 10,526 | −3.7% |
| 2013 | 10,930 | −6.6% |
| 2012 | 11,697 | −1.6% |
| 2011 | 11,887 | −4.0% |
| 2010 | 12,379 | −4.0% |
| 2009 | 12,889 | +4.7% |
| 2008 | 12,315 | +1.2% |
| 2007 | 12,172 | −17% |
| 2006 | 14,642 | +3.6% |
| 2005 | 14,130 | −4.9% |
| 2004 | 14,861 | +21% |
| 2003 | 12,253 | +37% |
| 2002 | 8,945 | −6.8% |
| 2001 | 9,598 | −20% |
| 2000 | 12,000 | −25% |
| 1999 | 16,000 | 0.0% |
| 1998 | 16,000 | 0.0% |
| 1997 | 16,000 | 0.0% |
| 1996 | 16,000 | 0.0% |
| 1995 | 16,000 | 0.0% |
| 1994 | 16,000 | 0.0% |
| 1993 | 16,000 | 0.0% |
| 1992 | 16,000 | 0.0% |
| 1991 | 16,000 | 0.0% |
| 1990 | 16,000 | +169% |
| 1989 | 5,940 | +2.4% |
| 1988 | 5,800 | +3.6% |
| 1987 | 5,600 | +3.7% |
| 1986 | 5,400 | +8.0% |
| 1985 | 5,000 | 0.0% |
| 1984 | 5,000 | +6.0% |
| 1983 | 4,719 | +17% |
| 1982 | 4,037 | −9.8% |
| 1981 | 4,474 | −9.6% |
| 1980 | 4,947 | −3.2% |
| 1979 | 5,109 | −5.2% |
| 1978 | 5,389 | −15% |
| 1977 | 6,367 | −18% |
| 1976 | 7,742 | −3.8% |
| 1975 | 8,049 | +12% |
| 1974 | 7,180 | +1.9% |
| 1973 | 7,047 | +0.4% |
| 1972 | 7,020 | −6.8% |
| 1971 | 7,530 | −10% |
| 1970 | 8,401 | −4.8% |
| 1969 | 8,820 | −2.4% |
| 1968 | 9,034 | −9.3% |
| 1967 | 9,962 | −6.8% |
| 1966 | 10,691 | +2.0% |
| 1965 | 10,485 | −6.6% |
| 1964 | 11,227 | +1.5% |
| 1963 | 11,062 | +0.6% |
| 1962 | 11,000 | −5.2% |
| 1961 | 11,603 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in Malta?
Malta had 14,560 sheep in 2024, 0.00% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Malta rank in the world by number of sheep?
Malta ranked 152nd 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 Malta changed?
It rose by 38% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. The record was 16,000 head in 1990.
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.