Sheep in Zambia
Zambia had 330,243 sheep in 2024, the 112th largest in the world (0.02% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 38%. This is the highest figure on record.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 330,243 head
- World rank
- 112 of 177
- 10-year change
- +38%
- Record
- 330,243 head
- 2024
Sheep in Zambia, 1961–2024 (head)
Zambia compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.02%
- 0.02% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +38%
- world +17%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | Cyprus | 364,750 | 0.03% |
| 111 | Iceland | 345,440 | 0.03% |
| 112 | Zambia | 330,243 | 0.02% |
| 113 | Sweden | 315,790 | 0.02% |
| 114 | Haiti | 311,123 | 0.02% |
Map of sheep numbers by country
Share of the world total; Zambia is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 330,243 | +7.1% |
| 2023 | 308,354 | +18% |
| 2022 | 260,560 | +16% |
| 2021 | 224,727 | +14% |
| 2020 | 196,428 | +19% |
| 2019 | 165,236 | −11% |
| 2018 | 185,105 | +8.7% |
| 2017 | 170,262 | −30% |
| 2016 | 243,175 | +0.7% |
| 2015 | 241,439 | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 240,000 | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 240,000 | +4.3% |
| 2012 | 230,000 | +2.2% |
| 2011 | 225,000 | +2.3% |
| 2010 | 220,000 | +4.8% |
| 2009 | 210,000 | +5.0% |
| 2008 | 200,000 | 0.0% |
| 2007 | 200,000 | +2.6% |
| 2006 | 195,000 | +2.6% |
| 2005 | 190,000 | +5.6% |
| 2004 | 180,000 | +5.9% |
| 2003 | 170,000 | +3.0% |
| 2002 | 165,000 | +10% |
| 2001 | 150,000 | +7.1% |
| 2000 | 140,000 | +17% |
| 1999 | 120,000 | +21% |
| 1998 | 99,000 | +24% |
| 1997 | 80,000 | +3.9% |
| 1996 | 77,000 | +4.1% |
| 1995 | 74,000 | +5.7% |
| 1994 | 70,000 | +4.5% |
| 1993 | 67,000 | +6.3% |
| 1992 | 63,000 | +1.6% |
| 1991 | 62,000 | +3.3% |
| 1990 | 60,000 | +8.3% |
| 1989 | 55,382 | +9.4% |
| 1988 | 50,641 | +7.2% |
| 1987 | 47,241 | +7.3% |
| 1986 | 44,019 | +7.2% |
| 1985 | 41,060 | +13% |
| 1984 | 36,244 | −28% |
| 1983 | 50,000 | −10.0% |
| 1982 | 55,525 | +109% |
| 1981 | 26,530 | −3.7% |
| 1980 | 27,540 | −16% |
| 1979 | 32,622 | +7.1% |
| 1978 | 30,461 | −5.2% |
| 1977 | 32,128 | +28% |
| 1976 | 25,128 | −10% |
| 1975 | 28,000 | −6.7% |
| 1974 | 30,000 | 0.0% |
| 1973 | 30,000 | −14% |
| 1972 | 35,000 | 0.0% |
| 1971 | 35,000 | +9.4% |
| 1970 | 32,000 | 0.0% |
| 1969 | 32,000 | +0.3% |
| 1968 | 31,900 | −2.4% |
| 1967 | 32,700 | +11% |
| 1966 | 29,500 | −4.8% |
| 1965 | 31,000 | −14% |
| 1964 | 36,000 | 0.0% |
| 1963 | 36,000 | −2.7% |
| 1962 | 37,000 | −2.6% |
| 1961 | 38,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many sheep are there in Zambia?
Zambia had 330,243 sheep in 2024, 0.02% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Zambia rank in the world by number of sheep?
Zambia ranked 112th 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 Zambia changed?
It rose by 38% 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 Zambia 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.