Shark Population by Country 2025
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1.1M
Shark Population (Estimated Maximum) 2021
Country | Shark Population (Estimated Maximum) 2021↓ | Shark Population (Detailed Estimate) 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | United States | 1,000,001 | 1000000+ (several million) |
 | Australia | 1,000,001 | 1000000+ (several million) |
 | India | 1,000,000 | 100000-1000000 |
 | Brazil | 1,000,000 | 100000-1000000 |
 | Mexico | 1,000,000 | 100000-1000000 |
 | Japan | 1,000,000 | 100000-1000000 |
 | Philippines | 1,000,000 | 100000-1000000 |
 | South Africa | 1,000,000 | 100000-1000000 |
 | Thailand | 100,000 | 10000-100000 |
 | South Korea | 100,000 | 10000-100000 |
 | Spain | 100,000 | 10000-100000 |
 | Madagascar | 100,000 | 10000-100000 |
 | Ecuador | 100,000 | 10000-100000 |
 | New Zealand | 100,000 | 10000-100000 |
 | Costa Rica | 100,000 | 10000-100000 |
 | Fiji | 100,000 | 10000-100000 |
 | Maldives | 100,000 | 10000-100000 |
 | Bahamas | 100,000 | 10000-100000 |
 | Kenya | 10,000 | 1000-10000 |
 | Canada | 10,000 | 1000-10000 |
 | Venezuela | 10,000 | 1000-10000 |
 | Sri Lanka | 10,000 | 1000-10000 |
 | Malawi | 10,000 | 1000-10000 |
 | Tunisia | 10,000 | 1000-10000 |
 | Sweden | 10,000 | 1000-10000 |
 | Iceland | 10,000 | 1000-10000 |
 | Seychelles | 10,000 | 1000-10000 |
 | Indonesia | Significant, but difficult to estimate |
- Maximum displayed values for shark populations in the United States and Australia use a placeholder value of 1,000,001. The actual value is estimated to range into the multi-millions.
- Indonesia is home to approximately 120 species of shark and 100 species of ray. However, populations are poorly tracked and both legal and illegal harvesting of sharks and rays by commercial fishing operations is common practice in Indonesia. Due to these factors, significantly more effort would be necessary to accurately estimate Indonesian shark populations.
The oceans around the world are home to over a billion sharks, encompassing 400 diverse species in terms of size, color, and danger level. In recent years, the shark population has been on the rise in the United States, with 50 species inhabiting its waters. The US shark hotspots include Florida, Hawaii, South Carolina, California, and North Carolina, with New Smyrna Beach in Florida being the most shark-infested area globally.
Australia follows closely, particularly known for its large population of white sharks, with estimates of up to 1,500 adult white sharks in southwestern Australia. South Africa’s waters host several hundred great white sharks; despite a declining population, the region has experienced hundreds of shark attacks.
Brazil’s coastline is home to over 200 shark species, ranging from harmless to deadly, with the tiger shark, great white shark, and bull shark being the most common. New Zealand, with an estimated 700 great white sharks, boasts a diverse shark population including basking, pygmy, whale, and hammerhead sharks.
The Mascarene Islands in the Western Indian Ocean have 44 shark species, with 41 recorded shark attacks in its waters. Mexico’s waters, home to over 100 shark species including great whites, are known for shark sightings in Isla Guadalupe Cancun, Isla Mujeres, and Cabo San Lucas.
Lake Nicaragua, despite being landlocked, surprisingly hosts dangerous sharks in its largest lake. The West End in Grand Bahamas stands out as the shark diving capital of the world, offering face-to-face shark encounters within the safety of metal cages.
