New Zealand still has more sheep than people: Statistics
Statistics by the New Zealand Government Agency has revealed that there were still more sheep than humans in the country.
With a population of 23.6 million sheep and 5.3 million people, there are about 4.5 sheep for each New Zealander, the statistics showed.
According to the statistics, that is down from 22 sheep per person in 1982, when farming sheep for meat and wool was New Zealand’s biggest earner.
Now, years of falling wool prices prompted by a global shift to synthetic fibres have led farmers to change what they do with their land, the sector’s biggest lobby group said.
The lobby group added that humans were gradually trying to catch up with the sheep.
The vast number of sheep in New Zealand relative to the country’s scant human population has long been the subject of jokes aimed at New Zealanders abroad.
The country is one of a handful in the world that’s still home to more sheep than people, but humans are catching up, according to new figures released Tuesday.
(AP/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Flood Alert: NEMA urges residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate as rains intensify
Mrs Umar advised motorists and pedestrians against driving or walking through floodwaters.
NationWide
Shettima departs Abuja for ECOWAS summit in Freetown
The summit will focus on key policy decisions and strategic resolutions.
NationWide
NBC unveils new digital broadcasting rules Â
Mr Ebuebu said the commission had observed declining ethical standards in broadcasting.
Heading 3
POWA reaffirms commitment to members’ welfare
According to Mrs Disu, the invaluable role of police officers’ wives cannot be overemphasised.
States
N2 billion NPFL prize won’t fix Nigerian football, says Gara-Gombe
He lamented that Nigeria had only a few stadiums capable of meeting international standards.
Heading 1
Kwara reaffirms commitment to reducing teenage pregnancy
According to Ms El-Imam, Kwara has recorded significant progress in maternal health and family planning.
