New Zealand’s reputation for having more sheep than people has long been a humorous topic among its international counterparts. Currently, the country boasts 23.6 million sheep against a mere 5.3 million residents, which means there are approximately 4.5 sheep for every New Zealander, according to recent government statistics. This is a significant drop from the peak of 22 sheep per person in 1982, when sheep farming was a major economic driver in the nation. A decline in global wool prices, influenced by a shift towards synthetic textiles, has prompted farmers to adapt their land use.
Geographically, New Zealand is comparable to the United Kingdom, but its population is approximately 13 times smaller. Historically, the sheep industry was the cornerstone of the New Zealand economy, reaching a peak of over 70 million sheep in 1982. Images of rolling green hills dotted with sheep became synonymous with the country, particularly before the tourism boom prompted by the “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy.
However, over the years, the sheep population has dwindled due to persistently low wool prices. As a result, the agricultural landscape has shifted towards dairy farming, which now dominates the market. In 2022, it was reported that the number of sheep dropped below five per person for the first time. Recent figures indicate a loss of one million sheep since last year.
To stay afloat, many sheep farmers are redirecting their efforts towards more profitable ventures, such as dairy farming or converting agricultural land for pine forestry to capitalise on carbon offset sales. A representative from the Federated Farmers group remarked that the wool industry is nearing a tipping point, with some suggesting that it might soon fade away entirely.
The New Zealand government is implementing initiatives to counteract this decline, including restrictions on farmland conversion into carbon forestry. Additionally, new procurement guidelines were introduced in April, promoting the use of New Zealand wool products in public construction projects. However, these measures are not anticipated to fully reverse the trend of decreasing sheep numbers.
Interestingly, Australia, often the butt of sheep jokes directed at New Zealand, also finds itself with more sheep than people, although the ratio is less dramatic, with roughly three sheep for every Australian resident.