Türkiye surpasses EU in livestock population for 2025

Data from Eurostat and the Turkish Statistical Institute indicate that Türkiye surpassed the European Union in total livestock numbers in 2025. While the EU saw declines in cattle, sheep, and goat populations, Türkiye recorded significant increases across these categories.

In terms of cattle, Türkiye’s population rose by 4.3% to 17,709,000, overtaking France, which reported 16,237,000. The gap between Türkiye and France widened from 508,000 in 2024 to approximately 1,472,000 in 2025. Other major EU cattle populations include Germany with 10,420,000 and Spain with 6,300,000.

Regarding small ruminants, Türkiye’s total population grew by 5.4% to 57,874,000. Türkiye’s sheep population reached 46,689,000, nearly four times the amount of Spain, which leads the EU with 12,810,000. Additionally, Türkiye’s goat population increased by 3.4% to 11,186,000, a figure approximately five times larger than Greece’s 2,341,000, which holds the top position for goats within the EU.