WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s iconic sheep population has dwindled to the point where they now outnumber humans by less than five to one, marking the lowest ratio since the 1850s, according to official figures released on Monday.
The decline in sheep numbers comes as Australia continues to maintain a significantly larger flock, leaving behind the era of New Zealand being the subject of sheep-related jokes.
The recently published five-yearly census of agricultural production conducted in June 2022 revealed that New Zealand’s national flock experienced a decline of two percent, equivalent to 400,000 sheep, resulting in a total of 25.3 million sheep in the country.
Stats NZ analyst Jason Attewell highlighted that this decrease in sheep-to-human ratio is the first time it has dropped below five to one since national sheep records began in the 1850s. He further noted that back in 1982, New Zealand had reached a peak of 22 sheep per person.
New Zealand among world’s leading wool exporters
Comparatively, Australia currently boasts three times the number of sheep that New Zealand has, but with a sheep-to-human ratio of around three to one. Despite the decrease in sheep numbers, New Zealand remains one of the world’s leading wool exporters, having sent wool worth US$284 million overseas last year.
The decline in sheep numbers can be attributed to rising farming costs and falling wool prices, which have gradually led to a reduction from the peak of 72 million sheep during the 1980s.
The changing dynamics of New Zealand’s agricultural landscape have contributed to this shift in the sheep-to-human ratio, marking a significant change from the country’s historical association with its thriving sheep population.
As New Zealanders witness their sheep-to-human ratio reach a record low, the country’s agricultural sector continues to adapt to the evolving market conditions while preserving its prominence as a key player in the global wool industry.
