Sheep in North Korea
North Korea had 164,779 sheep in 2024, the 124th largest in the world (0.01% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 1.9%. The record was 568,000 head in 1991.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 164,779 head
- World rank
- 124 of 177
- 10-year change
- −1.9%
- Record
- 568,000 head
- 1991
Sheep in North Korea, 1961–2024 (head)
North Korea compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.01%
- 0.01% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −1.9%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 122 | Gambia | 190,879 | 0.01% |
| 123 | Czechia | 180,368 | 0.01% |
| 124 | North Korea | 164,779 | 0.01% |
| 125 | Botswana | 148,744 | 0.01% |
| 126 | Denmark | 147,980 | 0.01% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; North Korea is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 164,779 | −0.2% |
| 2023 | 165,191 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 164,390 | −2.1% |
| 2021 | 167,955 | −1.8% |
| 2020 | 171,000 | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 169,000 | +1.2% |
| 2018 | 167,000 | −0.6% |
| 2017 | 168,000 | 0.0% |
| 2016 | 168,000 | +0.6% |
| 2015 | 166,973 | −0.6% |
| 2014 | 168,000 | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 168,000 | 0.0% |
| 2012 | 168,000 | 0.0% |
| 2011 | 168,000 | +1.2% |
| 2010 | 166,000 | +0.6% |
| 2009 | 165,000 | −1.2% |
| 2008 | 167,000 | −0.6% |
| 2007 | 168,000 | −0.6% |
| 2006 | 169,000 | −0.6% |
| 2005 | 170,000 | −0.6% |
| 2004 | 171,000 | 0.0% |
| 2003 | 171,000 | +0.6% |
| 2002 | 170,000 | −10% |
| 2001 | 189,000 | +2.2% |
| 2000 | 185,000 | 0.0% |
| 1999 | 185,000 | +12% |
| 1998 | 165,000 | +3.1% |
| 1997 | 160,000 | −35% |
| 1996 | 248,000 | −4.6% |
| 1995 | 260,000 | −10% |
| 1994 | 289,000 | −17% |
| 1993 | 350,000 | −22% |
| 1992 | 450,000 | −21% |
| 1991 | 568,000 | +14% |
| 1990 | 500,000 | +19% |
| 1989 | 420,000 | +13% |
| 1988 | 372,000 | +1.1% |
| 1987 | 368,000 | +2.2% |
| 1986 | 360,000 | +2.9% |
| 1985 | 350,000 | +2.9% |
| 1984 | 340,000 | +3.0% |
| 1983 | 330,000 | +6.5% |
| 1982 | 310,000 | +3.3% |
| 1981 | 300,000 | +3.4% |
| 1980 | 290,000 | +1.8% |
| 1979 | 285,000 | +1.8% |
| 1978 | 280,000 | +1.8% |
| 1977 | 275,000 | +2.8% |
| 1976 | 267,500 | +2.9% |
| 1975 | 260,000 | +8.3% |
| 1974 | 240,000 | +6.7% |
| 1973 | 225,000 | +7.1% |
| 1972 | 210,000 | +9.4% |
| 1971 | 192,000 | +6.7% |
| 1970 | 180,000 | +5.9% |
| 1969 | 170,000 | +3.0% |
| 1968 | 165,000 | +3.1% |
| 1967 | 160,000 | +2.6% |
| 1966 | 156,000 | +3.3% |
| 1965 | 151,000 | +3.4% |
| 1964 | 146,000 | +19% |
| 1963 | 123,000 | +4.2% |
| 1962 | 118,000 | +12% |
| 1961 | 105,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in North Korea?
North Korea had 164,779 sheep in 2024, 0.01% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does North Korea rank in the world by number of sheep?
North Korea ranked 124th 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 North Korea changed?
It fell by 1.9% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. The record was 568,000 head in 1991.
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 North Korea 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.