Sheep Population by Country 2026

Since the dawn of time, sheep have been integral to humans. The world has come a long way during the past few centuries, yet sheep are still incredibly important, and sheep farming is still a very large industry. While the United States is a formidable producer of sheep, numerous other countries have significantly more. China has more sheep than any other country in the world, with approximately 194 million of them living within its borders, as of 2022 data. The sheep population in China continues to grow, as the economy continues to expand. China has more than twice as many sheep as the second country on the list.

What Other Countries Have a Lot of Sheep?

There are several other countries that have a large number of sheep as well. Behind China sits India with approximately 75 million sheep living within its borders. Australia also has a lot of sheep, estimated at approximately 70 million sheep living within its borders. Iran comes in fourth with over 55 million sheep.

Nigeria also has a lot of sheep. Approximately 50 million sheep live within the borders of Nigeria. Chad is another country with a large number of sheep – approximately 45 million. Clearly, sheep can be found all over the world, in very large numbers.

What States Have the Most Sheep?

The United States may not be at the top of the list of sheep producers, but it still has a lot of sheep. Without a doubt, Texas has more sheep than most countries on Earth. It is estimated that Texas has approximately 735,000 sheep, and sheep farming is a major industry in the lone star state. Several other states also boast significant sheep populations. For example, California has approximately 555,000 sheep living within its borders, and Colorado is next on the list, with approximately 435,000 sheep. Finally, Wyoming also has a lot of sheep. Wyoming has approximately 340,000 sheep within its borders. Sheep can be found in just about every state in the country, but some states have more than others.

What Are Sheep Used For?

Sheep play a major role across the world, and one of the reasons they are popular is that they produce wool. Wool is important because it is used to make clothing. Lots of different types of fabric can be used to make clothing, but wool is popular for a number of reasons. It is relatively inexpensive to make, it can help people stay warm, and it can be dyed in a wide variety of colors. It seems wool will continue to be an integral part of the clothing industry, which means sheep will continue to play an important role in the global economy.

In addition to wool, sheep are raised for meat, most commonly lamb and mutton, which are important protein sources in many parts of the world. Lamb is especially popular in regions such as the Middle East, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Sheep also produce milk, which can be consumed directly or used to make specialty cheeses like Roquefort, Manchego, and Pecorino. Sheep’s milk is prized for its high fat and protein content.

Finally, sheep byproducts — such as lanolin (a waxy substance from wool used in cosmetics and skincare products) and even sheepskin — are also widely used in various industries. Altogether, sheep contribute to textiles, food, dairy, and personal care products, making them a highly versatile and valuable livestock species worldwide.