Falling to a series low
South Africa Wool Production per Capita moved from 877.7 Gram in 2015 to 677.3 Gram in 2024 (−22.8%), an average of −2.8% a year. The series high was 877.7 Gram in 2015 and the low 677.3 Gram in 2024.
What South Africa Wool Production per Capita shows
South Africa Wool Production per Capita was 677.3 Gram in 2024, down 1.5% on 2023. South Africa’s wool production per capita indicator measures domestic wool production relative to population, providing a standardized measure of population-adjusted agricultural output. Between 2015 and 2024, South Africa recorded a consistent downward trend in wool production per capita, with the indicator declining in every reported year.
A 22.8% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2024) is 200.4 Gram. The sharpest single-year move was −7.9% in 2016.
Ranks 6 of 19 countries covered
Among the 19 countries in this dataset, South Africa ranks 6 for 2024, behind New Zealand (25,011 Gram) and Uruguay (6,794 Gram). The global figure for 2024 is 207.8 Gram, so South Africa is above it.
Full series
South Africa Wool Production per Capita by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Gram.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Gram | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Trough | 677.3 | −1.5% |
| 2023 | 687.5 | −1.6% |
| 2022 | 698.4 | −0.8% |
| 2021 | 704 | −3.5% |
| 2020 | 729.6 | −3% |
| 2019 | 752.5 | −2.7% |
| 2018 | 773.6 | −2.1% |
| 2017 | 789.9 | −2.3% |
| 2016 | 808.5 | −7.9% |
| 2015Peak | 877.7 | — |
Regional context
How South Africa compares across countries
Wool Production per Capita by country, 2024, Gram. South Africa is highlighted.
1New Zealand25,011
2Uruguay6,794
3UK991.1
4Turkey963.4
5Argentina701.2
6South Africa677.3
7Saudi Arabia423
8Chile303
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Wool Production per Capita — Wool production per capita refers to the annual quantity of wool produced within a country divided by its population, providing a population-adjusted measure of wool production. The indicator is presented in Our World in Data as a country-level time series, allowing comparisons of wool production per person across countries and years. The selected dataset covers the period from 2015 to 2024.
The data includes wool production and population figures used to calculate wool production per capita for individual countries. The indicator covers wool classified as an agricultural product and reflects domestic production relative to the population of each country. The dataset includes annual observations for the selected countries and period and can be used to compare population-adjusted wool output across different geographic regions.
The data excludes wool imports, exports, trade values, prices, revenues, and domestic consumption. It does not measure the value of wool production or distinguish between wool produced for different end uses. The indicator also does not directly measure sheep populations, wool yields per animal, processing activity, or downstream textile production. Differences in production per capita may reflect changes in wool output, population, or both.
About this indicator
Wool Production per Capita — Wool production per capita refers to the annual quantity of wool produced within a country divided by its population, providing a population-adjusted measure of wool production. The indicator is presented in Our World in Data as a country-level time series, allowing comparisons of wool production per person across countries and years. The selected dataset covers the period from 2015 to 2024.
The indicator stood at 877.73 units per person in 2015 before falling to 808.54 in 2016 and 789.86 in 2017. The decline continued to 773.62 units per person in 2018 and 752.50 in 2019. In 2020, production per capita decreased further to 729.55 units per person, followed by another decline to 704.01 in 2021.
The downward movement continued throughout the final years of the period. South Africa’s wool production per capita fell to 698.37 units per person in 2022, 687.51 in 2023, and 677.34 in 2024. The 2024 figure represents the lowest reported level in the supplied series, indicating a sustained reduction in population-adjusted wool output.
From 877.73 units per person in 2015 to 677.34 in 2024, South Africa’s wool production per capita declined by approximately 22.8%. Unlike markets where production fluctuated significantly, South Africa’s indicator followed a relatively consistent downward trajectory throughout the reporting period.
Wool production per capita provides a useful basis for assessing agricultural production while accounting for population differences. South Africa’s figures demonstrate a sustained weakening in population-adjusted wool output and provide a basis for comparison with other African and global wool-producing markets. The absence of a significant recovery during the period indicates that the decline was broad-based across the reported years. Overall, the data highlight a notable reduction in South Africa’s wool production per capita between 2015 and 2024.
- Indicator
- Wool Production per Capita
- Country
- South Africa
- Region
- Africa
- Unit
- Gram
- Coverage
- 2015–2024, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- August 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is South Africa Wool Production per Capita?
Wool production per capita refers to the annual quantity of wool produced within a country divided by its population, providing a population-adjusted measure of wool production. The indicator is presented in Our World in Data as a country-level time series, allowing comparisons of wool production per person across countries and years. The selected dataset covers the period from 2015 to 2024.
What was South Africa Wool Production per Capita in 2024?
South Africa Wool Production per Capita was 677.3 Gram in 2024, down 1.5% on 2023.
How has South Africa Wool Production per Capita changed between 2015 and 2024?
South Africa Wool Production per Capita moved from 877.7 Gram in 2015 to 677.3 Gram in 2024 (−22.8%), an average of −2.8% a year. The series high was 877.7 Gram in 2015 and the low 677.3 Gram in 2024.
Which year had the highest and lowest South Africa Wool Production per Capita?
The highest value was 877.7 Gram in 2015 and the lowest was 677.3 Gram in 2024.
What does the South Africa Wool Production per Capita data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes wool production and population figures used to calculate wool production per capita for individual countries. The indicator covers wool classified as an agricultural product and reflects domestic production relative to the population of each country. The dataset includes annual observations for the selected countries and period and can be used to compare population-adjusted wool output across different geographic regions. Excluded: The data excludes wool imports, exports, trade values, prices, revenues, and domestic consumption. It does not measure the value of wool production or distinguish between wool produced for different end uses. The indicator also does not directly measure sheep populations, wool yields per animal, processing activity, or downstream textile production. Differences in production per capita may reflect changes in wool output, population, or both.
Where does the South Africa Wool Production per Capita data come from?
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&time=2015..2024&Food=Wool&Metric=Production&Per+capita=true&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls). It covers 2015–2024 and is reported in Gram.
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