Sheep in Switzerland
Switzerland had 374,239 sheep in 2024, the 108th largest in the world (0.03% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 7.1%. The record was 451,000 head in 2006.
- Animals, 2024
- 374,239 head
- World rank
- 108 of 177
- 10-year change
- −7.1%
- Record
- 451,000 head
- 2006
Sheep in Switzerland, 1961–2024 (head)
Switzerland compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.03%
- 0.03% in 2014
- 10-year change
- −7.1%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 106 | Israel | 400,000 | 0.03% |
| 107 | Austria | 390,940 | 0.03% |
| 108 | Switzerland | 374,239 | 0.03% |
| 109 | Paraguay | 371,738 | 0.03% |
| 110 | Cyprus | 364,750 | 0.03% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; Switzerland is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 374,239 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | 362,375 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | 355,893 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | 349,112 | +1.6% |
| 2020 | 343,528 | −0.0% |
| 2019 | 343,581 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 343,470 | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 342,419 | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 338,922 | −2.3% |
| 2015 | 347,025 | −14% |
| 2014 | 402,772 | −1.6% |
| 2013 | 409,493 | −1.9% |
| 2012 | 417,274 | −1.6% |
| 2011 | 424,018 | −2.3% |
| 2010 | 434,083 | +0.5% |
| 2009 | 431,889 | −3.2% |
| 2008 | 446,153 | +0.6% |
| 2007 | 443,584 | −1.6% |
| 2006 | 451,000 | +1.0% |
| 2005 | 446,350 | +1.3% |
| 2004 | 440,522 | −1.0% |
| 2003 | 444,811 | +3.6% |
| 2002 | 429,503 | +2.3% |
| 2001 | 419,995 | −0.2% |
| 2000 | 420,740 | −0.7% |
| 1999 | 423,521 | +0.3% |
| 1998 | 422,300 | +0.5% |
| 1997 | 420,400 | +0.4% |
| 1996 | 418,576 | −4.1% |
| 1995 | 436,500 | −0.6% |
| 1994 | 439,000 | +3.5% |
| 1993 | 424,027 | +2.2% |
| 1992 | 414,700 | +1.3% |
| 1991 | 409,400 | +3.6% |
| 1990 | 395,200 | +6.6% |
| 1989 | 370,900 | +1.1% |
| 1988 | 366,827 | +3.2% |
| 1987 | 355,300 | −2.7% |
| 1986 | 365,100 | +2.3% |
| 1985 | 356,800 | −1.2% |
| 1984 | 361,100 | +1.6% |
| 1983 | 355,307 | +6.8% |
| 1982 | 332,600 | −0.9% |
| 1981 | 335,500 | −5.1% |
| 1980 | 353,500 | −2.1% |
| 1979 | 361,100 | −5.8% |
| 1978 | 383,180 | +4.0% |
| 1977 | 368,400 | −2.4% |
| 1976 | 377,300 | +3.2% |
| 1975 | 365,600 | +1.9% |
| 1974 | 358,700 | +6.8% |
| 1973 | 336,010 | +12% |
| 1972 | 300,500 | +3.1% |
| 1971 | 291,600 | +0.2% |
| 1970 | 291,100 | +0.3% |
| 1969 | 290,100 | −2.6% |
| 1968 | 297,800 | +26% |
| 1967 | 235,600 | −12% |
| 1966 | 266,371 | +6.9% |
| 1965 | 249,100 | +3.8% |
| 1964 | 240,000 | +4.3% |
| 1963 | 230,000 | +1.4% |
| 1962 | 226,900 | −0.2% |
| 1961 | 227,411 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in Switzerland?
Switzerland had 374,239 sheep in 2024, 0.03% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Switzerland rank in the world by number of sheep?
Switzerland ranked 108th 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 Switzerland changed?
It fell by 7.1% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +17% for the world. The record was 451,000 head in 2006.
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.