Sheep in South Africa
South Africa had 21.2 million sheep in 2024, the 19th largest in the world (1.56% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 12%. The record was 40.3 million head in 1966.
- Animals, 2024
- 21.2 million head
- World rank
- 19 of 177
- 10-year change
- −12%
- Record
- 40.3 million head
- 1966
Sheep in South Africa, 1961–2024 (head)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 1.6%
- 2.1% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −12%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Saudi Arabia | 22,428,136 | 1.6% |
| 18 | Brazil | 21,862,326 | 1.6% |
| 19 | South Africa | 21,240,448 | 1.6% |
| 20 | Uzbekistan | 21,028,100 | 1.5% |
| 21 | Morocco | 19,892,910 | 1.5% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 21,240,448 | −0.9% |
| 2023 | 21,425,621 | −0.0% |
| 2022 | 21,432,364 | −0.2% |
| 2021 | 21,464,621 | −0.6% |
| 2020 | 21,604,708 | −2.2% |
| 2019 | 22,085,207 | −1.8% |
| 2018 | 22,500,072 | −0.8% |
| 2017 | 22,688,930 | −2.6% |
| 2016 | 23,287,247 | −2.7% |
| 2015 | 23,937,984 | −0.8% |
| 2014 | 24,122,558 | −1.7% |
| 2013 | 24,527,671 | +0.6% |
| 2012 | 24,391,112 | +0.4% |
| 2011 | 24,302,776 | −0.8% |
| 2010 | 24,501,044 | −2.0% |
| 2009 | 24,989,032 | −0.4% |
| 2008 | 25,093,896 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 25,082,100 | +0.4% |
| 2006 | 24,982,996 | −1.4% |
| 2005 | 25,334,000 | −0.1% |
| 2004 | 25,360,000 | −1.8% |
| 2003 | 25,820,000 | −0.7% |
| 2002 | 26,000,000 | −9.7% |
| 2001 | 28,800,000 | +0.9% |
| 2000 | 28,550,716 | −0.5% |
| 1999 | 28,680,272 | −2.3% |
| 1998 | 29,344,956 | +0.5% |
| 1997 | 29,186,534 | +0.9% |
| 1996 | 28,933,524 | +0.5% |
| 1995 | 28,784,326 | −1.2% |
| 1994 | 29,133,700 | +0.7% |
| 1993 | 28,929,900 | −6.5% |
| 1992 | 30,955,200 | −5.0% |
| 1991 | 32,580,000 | −0.3% |
| 1990 | 32,665,008 | +5.6% |
| 1989 | 30,935,008 | +4.4% |
| 1988 | 29,640,000 | −0.4% |
| 1987 | 29,753,008 | +0.9% |
| 1986 | 29,481,008 | −2.6% |
| 1985 | 30,256,000 | −3.2% |
| 1984 | 31,265,008 | −5.8% |
| 1983 | 33,202,000 | −2.9% |
| 1982 | 34,195,008 | +8.0% |
| 1981 | 31,650,000 | +0.0% |
| 1980 | 31,641,008 | +0.2% |
| 1979 | 31,585,216 | −1.3% |
| 1978 | 32,001,504 | +0.1% |
| 1977 | 31,961,280 | +3.1% |
| 1976 | 31,001,008 | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 30,988,800 | +2.3% |
| 1974 | 30,295,968 | −1.5% |
| 1973 | 30,742,000 | +1.7% |
| 1972 | 30,237,008 | −8.7% |
| 1971 | 33,122,912 | −3.4% |
| 1970 | 34,286,000 | −13% |
| 1969 | 39,346,992 | −0.5% |
| 1968 | 39,543,616 | +1.8% |
| 1967 | 38,826,032 | −3.7% |
| 1966 | 40,306,896 | +8.9% |
| 1965 | 37,000,000 | +0.9% |
| 1964 | 36,675,008 | −3.5% |
| 1963 | 38,000,000 | 0.0% |
| 1962 | 38,000,000 | +0.3% |
| 1961 | 37,897,008 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in South Africa?
South Africa had 21.2 million sheep in 2024, 1.6% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world by number of sheep?
South Africa ranked 19th 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 South Africa changed?
It fell by 12% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. The record was 40.3 million head in 1966.
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.