Sheep in Rwanda
Rwanda had 288,916 sheep in 2024, the 115th largest in the world (0.02% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 54%. The record was 828,836 head in 2011.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 288,916 head
- World rank
- 115 of 177
- 10-year change
- −54%
- Record
- 828,836 head
- 2011
Sheep in Rwanda, 1961–2024 (head)
Rwanda compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.02%
- 0.05% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −54%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 113 | Sweden | 315,790 | 0.02% |
| 114 | Haiti | 311,123 | 0.02% |
| 115 | Rwanda | 288,916 | 0.02% |
| 116 | Liberia | 281,696 | 0.02% |
| 117 | Slovakia | 276,464 | 0.02% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; Rwanda is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 288,916 | −4.1% |
| 2023 | 301,343 | −9.2% |
| 2022 | 331,748 | −15% |
| 2021 | 390,767 | −7.0% |
| 2020 | 420,365 | −19% |
| 2019 | 520,185 | −14% |
| 2018 | 601,836 | −9.5% |
| 2017 | 664,703 | +4.3% |
| 2016 | 637,068 | −11% |
| 2015 | 716,309 | +14% |
| 2014 | 631,000 | −21% |
| 2013 | 798,638 | −1.1% |
| 2012 | 807,392 | −2.6% |
| 2011 | 828,836 | +12% |
| 2010 | 743,201 | −1.4% |
| 2009 | 754,086 | +5.0% |
| 2008 | 718,178 | +2.0% |
| 2007 | 703,989 | +1.2% |
| 2006 | 695,367 | +1.2% |
| 2005 | 686,837 | +46% |
| 2004 | 469,979 | +26% |
| 2003 | 371,766 | +24% |
| 2002 | 300,640 | +8.1% |
| 2001 | 278,018 | +9.3% |
| 2000 | 254,441 | −8.5% |
| 1999 | 277,991 | +45% |
| 1998 | 192,344 | −27% |
| 1997 | 263,000 | +6.0% |
| 1996 | 248,000 | +13% |
| 1995 | 220,000 | −48% |
| 1994 | 424,000 | +2.4% |
| 1993 | 414,000 | +2.5% |
| 1992 | 404,000 | +2.5% |
| 1991 | 394,000 | +1.4% |
| 1990 | 388,616 | −1.0% |
| 1989 | 392,617 | +7.9% |
| 1988 | 363,856 | +0.3% |
| 1987 | 362,900 | +4.1% |
| 1986 | 348,660 | −2.5% |
| 1985 | 357,425 | +5.6% |
| 1984 | 338,486 | −3.0% |
| 1983 | 348,865 | +6.8% |
| 1982 | 326,647 | −2.7% |
| 1981 | 335,584 | +14% |
| 1980 | 295,520 | +6.1% |
| 1979 | 278,622 | +4.3% |
| 1978 | 267,146 | +3.8% |
| 1977 | 257,310 | +3.7% |
| 1976 | 248,146 | −1.6% |
| 1975 | 252,286 | +22% |
| 1974 | 207,600 | −15% |
| 1973 | 243,012 | +21% |
| 1972 | 201,548 | +7.5% |
| 1971 | 187,547 | +0.5% |
| 1970 | 186,657 | +25% |
| 1969 | 149,000 | −19% |
| 1968 | 183,000 | +33% |
| 1967 | 138,000 | −0.7% |
| 1966 | 139,000 | −20% |
| 1965 | 174,800 | +13% |
| 1964 | 154,600 | −28% |
| 1963 | 215,000 | −25% |
| 1962 | 286,000 | −1.4% |
| 1961 | 290,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in Rwanda?
Rwanda had 288,916 sheep in 2024, 0.02% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Rwanda rank in the world by number of sheep?
Rwanda ranked 115th 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 Rwanda changed?
It fell by 54% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. The record was 828,836 head in 2011.
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 Rwanda 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.