Top 10 Countries with the Most Sheep per Capita

Australia

Australia is known for its vast sheep population, with approximately 74.1 million sheep as of 2021. With a population of around 25 million people, this translates to roughly 2.96 sheep per capita, making Australia one of the top countries in the world in terms of sheep density.

New Zealand

New Zealand is another country with a high sheep population, estimated at around 27.6 million sheep in 2021. With a population of approximately 5 million people, this equates to about 5.52 sheep per capita, putting New Zealand near the top of the list in terms of sheep density.

Iceland

Despite its small population of around 360,000 people, Iceland has a surprisingly high sheep population of approximately 800,000 sheep. This results in a sheep per capita ratio of about 2.22, making Iceland one of the countries with the most sheep per capita in the world.

Uruguay

Uruguay has a significant sheep industry, with an estimated 7.9 million sheep in 2021. With a population of around 3.5 million people, this gives Uruguay a sheep per capita ratio of about 2.26, showcasing the importance of sheep farming in the country.

Scotland

Scotland is known for its picturesque landscapes dotted with sheep, and it is estimated to have around 6.6 million sheep in 2021. With a population of approximately 5.5 million people, this results in a sheep per capita ratio of about 1.20, demonstrating the prevalence of sheep farming in Scotland.

Wales

Wales is another country with a strong sheep farming tradition, boasting an estimated 9.6 million sheep in 2021. With a population of around 3.1 million people, this gives Wales a sheep per capita ratio of about 3.10, making it one of the top countries in the world in terms of sheep density.

Ireland

Ireland has a long history of sheep farming, and it is estimated to have around 3.6 million sheep in 2021. With a population of approximately 4.9 million people, this results in a sheep per capita ratio of about 0.73, showcasing the importance of sheep farming in Ireland.

Spain

Spain is a country with a significant sheep population, estimated at around 17.4 million sheep in 2021. With a population of approximately 47 million people, this gives Spain a sheep per capita ratio of about 0.37, highlighting the importance of sheep farming in the country.

Greece

Greece has a long history of sheep farming, and it is estimated to have around 8.2 million sheep in 2021. With a population of approximately 10.4 million people, this results in a sheep per capita ratio of about 0.79, showcasing the prevalence of sheep farming in Greece.

Portugal

Portugal is another country with a strong sheep farming tradition, boasting an estimated 5.3 million sheep in 2021. With a population of around 10.3 million people, this gives Portugal a sheep per capita ratio of about 0.51, making it one of the top countries in the world in terms of sheep density.
In conclusion, these top 10 countries with the most sheep per capita showcase the importance of sheep farming in various regions around the world. Whether it be for wool production, meat, or other byproducts, sheep farming plays a significant role in the agricultural industry of these countries.