Sheep in Tanzania
Tanzania had 9.5 million sheep in 2024, the 37th largest in the world (0.70% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 9.3%. This is the highest figure on record.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 9.5 million head
- World rank
- 37 of 177
- 10-year change
- +9.3%
- Record
- 9.5 million head
- 2024
Sheep in Tanzania, 1961–2024 (head)
Tanzania compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.70%
- 0.75% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +9.3%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Yemen | 10,799,861 | 0.79% |
| 36 | Romania | 10,443,400 | 0.77% |
| 37 | Tanzania | 9,505,944 | 0.70% |
| 38 | Mexico | 8,866,253 | 0.65% |
| 39 | Senegal | 8,726,635 | 0.64% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; Tanzania is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9,505,944 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 9,373,407 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | 9,087,935 | +3.2% |
| 2021 | 8,802,462 | +8.3% |
| 2020 | 8,126,684 | +7.3% |
| 2019 | 7,574,304 | +8.5% |
| 2018 | 6,978,292 | +4.8% |
| 2017 | 6,660,143 | +2.8% |
| 2016 | 6,478,463 | +5.0% |
| 2015 | 6,168,295 | −29% |
| 2014 | 8,701,000 | +14% |
| 2013 | 7,656,250 | +9.4% |
| 2012 | 7,000,000 | +9.4% |
| 2011 | 6,400,000 | +78% |
| 2010 | 3,592,700 | −0.2% |
| 2009 | 3,600,000 | 0.0% |
| 2008 | 3,600,000 | 0.0% |
| 2007 | 3,600,000 | +2.9% |
| 2006 | 3,500,000 | 0.0% |
| 2005 | 3,500,000 | 0.0% |
| 2004 | 3,500,000 | −11% |
| 2003 | 3,945,256 | +12% |
| 2002 | 3,514,439 | +0.2% |
| 2001 | 3,507,774 | +0.2% |
| 2000 | 3,501,233 | +0.4% |
| 1999 | 3,488,530 | −1.7% |
| 1998 | 3,550,020 | −0.0% |
| 1997 | 3,551,250 | −0.0% |
| 1996 | 3,552,380 | +1.7% |
| 1995 | 3,493,030 | −1.7% |
| 1994 | 3,554,310 | −0.0% |
| 1993 | 3,555,130 | −0.0% |
| 1992 | 3,555,800 | −0.0% |
| 1991 | 3,556,462 | −0.0% |
| 1990 | 3,556,985 | +0.5% |
| 1989 | 3,540,756 | +0.4% |
| 1988 | 3,525,802 | +0.4% |
| 1987 | 3,512,000 | +0.4% |
| 1986 | 3,499,234 | +0.3% |
| 1985 | 3,487,408 | +13% |
| 1984 | 3,080,147 | −21% |
| 1983 | 3,917,147 | +1.9% |
| 1982 | 3,844,110 | +1.9% |
| 1981 | 3,772,435 | −0.1% |
| 1980 | 3,774,800 | +1.6% |
| 1979 | 3,716,000 | +2.0% |
| 1978 | 3,641,700 | +2.0% |
| 1977 | 3,568,900 | +2.0% |
| 1976 | 3,497,500 | +2.0% |
| 1975 | 3,427,600 | +2.0% |
| 1974 | 3,359,000 | +2.0% |
| 1973 | 3,291,800 | +17% |
| 1972 | 2,820,000 | −0.1% |
| 1971 | 2,822,000 | −0.0% |
| 1970 | 2,823,000 | −0.1% |
| 1969 | 2,825,000 | −0.1% |
| 1968 | 2,828,000 | −0.1% |
| 1967 | 2,832,000 | −0.2% |
| 1966 | 2,839,000 | −0.2% |
| 1965 | 2,846,000 | +4.4% |
| 1964 | 2,726,000 | −9.1% |
| 1963 | 3,000,000 | −2.6% |
| 1962 | 3,080,000 | +3.1% |
| 1961 | 2,986,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in Tanzania?
Tanzania had 9.5 million sheep in 2024, 0.70% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Tanzania rank in the world by number of sheep?
Tanzania ranked 37th 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 Tanzania changed?
It rose by 9.3% 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 Tanzania 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.