Sheep in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia had 22.4 million sheep in 2024, the 17th largest in the world (1.65% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 148%. This is the highest figure on record.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 22.4 million head
- World rank
- 17 of 177
- 10-year change
- +148%
- Record
- 22.4 million head
- 2024
Sheep in Saudi Arabia, 1961–2024 (head)
Saudi Arabia compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 1.6%
- 0.78% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +148%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Mali | 24,483,549 | 1.8% |
| 16 | New Zealand | 23,583,001 | 1.7% |
| 17 | Saudi Arabia | 22,428,136 | 1.6% |
| 18 | Brazil | 21,862,326 | 1.6% |
| 19 | South Africa | 21,240,448 | 1.6% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; Saudi Arabia is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22,428,136 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 21,999,998 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 21,804,724 | +24% |
| 2021 | 17,535,421 | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 17,500,000 | +86% |
| 2019 | 9,419,686 | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 9,396,448 | +0.7% |
| 2017 | 9,328,455 | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 9,236,547 | +1.0% |
| 2015 | 9,145,544 | +1.0% |
| 2014 | 9,055,438 | −21% |
| 2013 | 11,500,000 | +14% |
| 2012 | 10,129,000 | +0.3% |
| 2011 | 10,096,000 | +16% |
| 2010 | 8,741,000 | +49% |
| 2009 | 5,885,532 | −16% |
| 2008 | 6,974,779 | −14% |
| 2007 | 8,082,852 | −0.1% |
| 2006 | 8,090,722 | −4.8% |
| 2005 | 8,500,941 | +5.6% |
| 2004 | 8,047,016 | +11% |
| 2003 | 7,225,872 | +3.1% |
| 2002 | 7,009,899 | +0.1% |
| 2001 | 7,005,840 | −12% |
| 2000 | 7,934,490 | +4.9% |
| 1999 | 7,563,341 | +1.9% |
| 1998 | 7,421,906 | −0.4% |
| 1997 | 7,452,160 | −4.5% |
| 1996 | 7,802,750 | +2.8% |
| 1995 | 7,587,720 | +0.8% |
| 1994 | 7,531,000 | +5.1% |
| 1993 | 7,166,145 | +4.0% |
| 1992 | 6,890,451 | +5.2% |
| 1991 | 6,552,927 | +2.7% |
| 1990 | 6,383,357 | +3.4% |
| 1989 | 6,173,345 | −0.3% |
| 1988 | 6,194,469 | −9.1% |
| 1987 | 6,812,374 | −6.3% |
| 1986 | 7,271,829 | +8.8% |
| 1985 | 6,684,283 | −3.7% |
| 1984 | 6,940,314 | −0.1% |
| 1983 | 6,949,254 | +19% |
| 1982 | 5,856,654 | +51% |
| 1981 | 3,891,000 | −8.4% |
| 1980 | 4,247,000 | +6.7% |
| 1979 | 3,981,000 | +2.4% |
| 1978 | 3,887,000 | +19% |
| 1977 | 3,270,000 | +1.2% |
| 1976 | 3,230,000 | +4.4% |
| 1975 | 3,093,000 | +8.9% |
| 1974 | 2,840,000 | +7.7% |
| 1973 | 2,637,000 | +4.0% |
| 1972 | 2,535,000 | +3.9% |
| 1971 | 2,440,000 | +4.1% |
| 1970 | 2,345,000 | +4.0% |
| 1969 | 2,255,000 | +4.2% |
| 1968 | 2,165,000 | +2.9% |
| 1967 | 2,105,000 | +2.9% |
| 1966 | 2,045,000 | +3.0% |
| 1965 | 1,985,000 | +3.1% |
| 1964 | 1,925,000 | +2.9% |
| 1963 | 1,870,000 | +3.0% |
| 1962 | 1,815,000 | +2.8% |
| 1961 | 1,765,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia had 22.4 million sheep in 2024, 1.6% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Saudi Arabia rank in the world by number of sheep?
Saudi Arabia ranked 17th 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 Saudi Arabia changed?
It rose by 148% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. 2024 was the highest figure on record.
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 Saudi Arabia 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.