Countries With More Sheep Than People: The Full List

At least seven countries and territories have more sheep than people. The Falkland Islands lead by a huge margin at over 100 sheep per person, followed by Mongolia (around 9 to 1), New Zealand (roughly 5 to 1), Australia and Wales (about 3 to 1), Uruguay (about 2 to 1), and Iceland and Ireland (roughly 1 to 1 or higher).

Introduction

In a handful of places around the world, sheep genuinely outnumber the human population — sometimes by an astonishing margin. These are typically countries with vast grasslands, temperate or cool climates, and long traditions of wool and meat farming. New Zealand is the most famous example, but it is far from the most extreme. It is worth noting that sheep-to-people ratios shift constantly with wool prices, land use, and the rise of dairy farming, so these figures are approximate and change year to year.

Here is the list of countries and territories where sheep still outnumber people.

Where Sheep Outnumber People

• Falkland Islands: the most lopsided ratio on Earth. With only around 3,500 residents and roughly half a million sheep, there are well over 100 sheep for every person.
• Mongolia: home to about 3.4 million people and tens of millions of sheep, giving a ratio in the region of 9 to 1 (Mongolia's herders also keep enormous numbers of goats).
• New Zealand: the classic example. With about 5 million people and roughly 24 to 25 million sheep, the ratio is now close to 5 to 1.
• Australia: around 26 million people and roughly 70 million sheep, a ratio of nearly 3 to 1, concentrated in the southeast and southwest.
• Wales (not sovereign): part of the United Kingdom, with about 3.1 million people and close to 10 million sheep — roughly 3 to 1.
• Uruguay: about 3.4 million people and around 6 million sheep, a ratio of nearly 2 to 1, down sharply from its wool-boom peak.
• Iceland: roughly 380,000 people and around 400,000 to 500,000 sheep, giving a ratio slightly above 1 to 1.
• Ireland: about 5.2 million people and roughly 5 million sheep, hovering around 1 to 1.

The New Zealand Story

New Zealand's reputation as a nation of sheep is well earned, but the ratio has fallen dramatically. In 1982 the national flock peaked at around 70 million sheep against a human population of just over 3 million — more than 20 sheep per person. Since then, wool has lost value while dairy farming has boomed, and huge areas of pasture have been converted to dairy cattle. The flock has since shrunk to roughly 24 million, so today there are only about five sheep for every New Zealander. It remains a striking figure, but a far cry from the country's woolly heyday.

Why Some Countries Are So Sheep-Heavy

The countries on this list share common features: rolling grasslands or upland pasture, mild or cool climates well suited to grazing, and relatively small human populations spread across large areas. Sheep thrive on marginal land that is too poor or too steep for crops, which is exactly why upland Wales, the Falklands, and much of New Zealand became sheep country. Wool, lamb, and mutton have historically been major exports for many of these places, embedding sheep farming deep in the national economy and culture.

Common Questions

Which country has the most sheep per person?

Among inhabited territories, the Falkland Islands have by far the highest ratio, with well over 100 sheep for every human resident.

Does New Zealand still have more sheep than people?

Yes. New Zealand has roughly 24 million sheep and about 5 million people, a ratio of around 5 to 1, though this is much lower than the 20 to 1 seen in the early 1980s.

Does Australia have more sheep than people?

Yes. Australia has around 70 million sheep and about 26 million people, giving a ratio of close to 3 sheep per person.