New Zealand’s sheep-to-human ratio is approaching a historic flip, as sheep numbers drop and humans rise—dethroning sheep as the longtime majority. Soon, sheep jokes may become nostalgic as New Zealand’s woolly population faces demographic defeat for the first time.

As of 2024, New Zealand's sheep population has dwindled to 23.3 million, while the human count has risen to 5.3 million, bringing the iconic sheep-to-human ratio to a historic low of 4.4 to 1. This shift is driven by farmers converting pastures into carbon-offsetting pine forests and the global decline in wool demand. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/cfd80216b660dd3a7c2e8408a98dab53?utm_source=openai))