London, Feb 9 (ANI): The number of cows in New Zealand has exceeded the country's total population, according to new figures.

Statistics New Zealand revealed that record 5.8 million dairy cattle were counted in the year ending June 2009.

It is well more than one animal for each of the country's 4.3 million citizens.

The Kiwis have long have endured jokes about being outnumbered 20-1 by sheep.

However, the new data showed that sheep numbers declined to some 32 million in 2009, less than half the peak of 70 million reported in 1982.

Increased numbers in the milking herd have resulted in there being one milking cow for every New Zealander, the Daily Express quoted farm statistics manager Gary Dunnet as saying.

In 2009, New Zealand had fewer than eight sheep per person, he added. (ANI)