In 2024, the European Union had 132 million pigs, 72 million cattle, 57 million sheep and 10 million goats. According to Eurostat, compared to the previous year, all livestock populations decreased: the pig population decreased by 0.5%, the cattle population by 2.8%, the sheep population by 1.7% and the goat population by 1.6%.

Recent declines in livestock populations have reinforced their long-term trend in the EU. Compared to 2014, the pig population in 2024 was 8.1% lower, the cattle population 8.7% lower, the sheep population 9.4% lower and the goat population 16.3%.