Global honey bee colonies surge 46% since 1990, led by Asia
The global number of managed honey bee colonies has risen sharply over the past three decades, driven largely by growth in Asia and Africa, even as concerns over pollinator health persist in parts of Europe and North America, according to data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
The global number of managed honey bee colonies has risen sharply over the past three decades, driven largely by growth in Asia and Africa, even as concerns over pollinator health persist in parts of Europe and North America, according to data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Recent figures show that the worldwide total reached approximately 101.7 million colonies in 2024, marking a 46.6% increase compared with 1990 levels. The expansion reflects rising demand for pollination services and honey production, particularly in developing economies.
Asia accounts for the largest share, with around 45.2 million colonies, nearly half of the global total, and the fastest long-term growth rate at over 95% since 1990. China, the world’s leading honey producer, has been a major driver of this increase, supported by large-scale commercial beekeeping and agricultural intensification.
Europe remains the second-largest region, with about 25.4 million colonies, though growth has been more modest at just over 13%. Despite stable overall numbers, several European countries have reported periodic colony losses linked to factors such as pesticide exposure, habitat loss and climate change, according to FAO assessments.
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Africa has seen a notable rise, with colony numbers climbing nearly 38% to 18.5 million. FAO data suggests that traditional and smallholder beekeeping systems continue to underpin growth across the continent, where honey production plays a key role in rural livelihoods.
In the Americas, colonies increased by around 20% to 11.6 million. However, the United States and parts of Latin America have faced well-documented challenges, including colony collapse disorder and disease, which have offset stronger gains elsewhere in the region.
Oceania, while accounting for the smallest share at roughly 1.1 million colonies, recorded a 44.7% increase over the same period.
The FAO notes that while global colony numbers are rising, this does not necessarily indicate improving bee health. In several advanced agricultural systems, higher colony counts are often maintained through intensive management practices, including artificial feeding and replacement of lost colonies.
Pollinators such as honey bees are critical to global food production, contributing to the reproduction of around 75% of crop species worldwide, according to FAO estimates. Their economic value is measured in hundreds of billions of dollars annually.
