Poultry livestock count in South Africa
South Africa: Poultry livestock count was 176.33 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
176.33 million
Change on year
down 0.0%
World rank
34th
of 199 countries
All-time high
201.05 million
in 2012
All-time low
18.96 million
in 1961
Years of data
64
1961–2024
Poultry livestock count in South Africa, 1961–2024
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2024, poultry livestock count in South Africa stood at 176.33 million.
The figure is up 9.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, poultry livestock count in South Africa peaked at 201.05 million in 2012 and was at its lowest, 18.96 million, in 1961.
South Africa ranks 34th of 199 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Poultry livestock count in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 18.96 million | — |
| 1962 | 19.46 million | +2.7% |
| 1963 | 19.97 million | +2.6% |
| 1964 | 20.48 million | +2.5% |
| 1965 | 20.98 million | +2.5% |
| 1966 | 21.55 million | +2.7% |
| 1967 | 22.00 million | +2.1% |
| 1968 | 22.50 million | +2.3% |
| 1969 | 22.51 million | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 23.02 million | +2.3% |
| 1971 | 26.53 million | +15.2% |
| 1972 | 29.54 million | +11.3% |
| 1973 | 34.05 million | +15.3% |
| 1974 | 25.15 million | -26.1% |
| 1975 | 25.55 million | +1.6% |
| 1976 | 26.56 million | +3.9% |
| 1977 | 27.56 million | +3.8% |
| 1978 | 28.57 million | +3.6% |
| 1979 | 29.57 million | +3.5% |
| 1980 | 30.58 million | +3.4% |
| 1981 | 31.59 million | +3.3% |
| 1982 | 32.10 million | +1.6% |
| 1983 | 32.62 million | +1.6% |
| 1984 | 34.63 million | +6.2% |
| 1985 | 36.64 million | +5.8% |
| 1986 | 38.64 million | +5.5% |
| 1987 | 40.64 million | +5.2% |
| 1988 | 42.65 million | +4.9% |
| 1989 | 44.65 million | +4.7% |
| 1990 | 87.65 million | +96.3% |
| 1991 | 88.66 million | +1.1% |
| 1992 | 88.66 million | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 92.66 million | +4.5% |
| 1994 | 95.69 million | +3.3% |
| 1995 | 100.71 million | +5.3% |
| 1996 | 110.75 million | +10.0% |
| 1997 | 115.78 million | +4.5% |
| 1998 | 113.81 million | -1.7% |
| 1999 | 119.83 million | +5.3% |
| 2000 | 126.81 million | +5.8% |
| 2001 | 138.83 million | +9.5% |
| 2002 | 148.87 million | +7.2% |
| 2003 | 144.90 million | -2.7% |
| 2004 | 145.99 million | +0.8% |
| 2005 | 121.99 million | -16.4% |
| 2006 | 126.83 million | +4.0% |
| 2007 | 142.00 million | +12.0% |
| 2008 | 171.01 million | +20.4% |
| 2009 | 186.03 million | +8.8% |
| 2010 | 198.04 million | +6.5% |
| 2011 | 201.04 million | +1.5% |
| 2012 | 201.05 million | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 162.66 million | -19.1% |
| 2014 | 161.77 million | -0.6% |
| 2015 | 163.07 million | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 164.95 million | +1.2% |
| 2017 | 168.12 million | +1.9% |
| 2018 | 172.16 million | +2.4% |
| 2019 | 175.40 million | +1.9% |
| 2020 | 178.63 million | +1.8% |
| 2021 | 178.68 million | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 176.32 million | -1.3% |
| 2023 | 176.34 million | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 176.33 million | -0.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 176.33 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 20.54 million, 8.6× the median. (56 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 176.33 million is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 19.07 million, 9.2× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Poultry livestock count in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | +96.3% | 44.65 million | 87.65 million |
| 1974 | -26.1% | 34.05 million | 25.15 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 20.93 million | 18.96 million | 22.51 million | 9 |
| 1970s | 27.61 million | 23.02 million | 34.05 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 36.47 million | 30.58 million | 44.65 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 101.42 million | 87.65 million | 119.83 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 145.33 million | 121.99 million | 186.03 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 176.83 million | 161.77 million | 201.05 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 177.26 million | 176.32 million | 178.68 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More agriculture & rural data for South Africa
- Cropland extent over the long-term, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Cropland extent over the long-term, per unit of GDP 0 hectares per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Cropland extent over the long-term, per capita 0.1917 hectares per person (2025)
- Agricultural area over the long-term, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agricultural area over the long-term, per unit of GDP 0.0002 hectares per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agricultural area over the long-term, per capita 1.49 hectares per person (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 7.11 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0283 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 186.56 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate 0.812 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is poultry livestock count in South Africa?
- Poultry livestock count in South Africa was 176.33 million in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest poultry livestock count recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 201.05 million in 2012.
- What is the lowest poultry livestock count recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.96 million in 1961.
- How does South Africa rank for poultry livestock count?
- South Africa ranks 34th out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is poultry livestock count rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 9.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Poultry livestock count. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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