July 2, 2025

EU sees drop in livestock numbers last year

In 2024, the European Union had 132 million pigs, 72 million bovine animals, 57 million sheep and 10 million goats.

Compared with the previous year, all livestock populations declined – the pig population decreased by 0.5%, bovines by 2.8%, sheep by 1.7%, and goats by 1.6%.

Recent declines in livestock populations have reinforced the longer-term trend in the EU.

Compared with 2014, the population of pigs in 2024 was 8.1% lower, bovine animals at 8.7% lower, sheep at 9.4% lower and goats at 16.3% lower.

- Eurostat