Full Breakdown
EU Beehive Numbers Hit Record High in 2023 Amid Renewed Pollinator Initiative
5/21/2026, 9:04:25 AM
Record EU Beehive Count in 2023
Eurostat data released for World Bee Day show that the European Union recorded 9.4 million beehives on agricultural holdings in 2023. This represents a 16 % rise from the 8.1 million hives reported in 2020, adding 1.3 million new colonies across the bloc.
Distribution Across Member States
The increase is driven by a handful of countries. Italy leads with nearly 1.9 million hives, followed by Romania at about 1.7 million, Greece with 1.2 million, and Bulgaria just over 1.0 million. Together these four nations account for roughly 5.8 million of the EU total, more than half of all farm-based colonies.
Country-Level Growth and Decline
Among the 12 EU members that reported growth, Italy posted the largest jump, adding 822 490 hives (a 79 % surge. Romania and Greece also recorded increases, though exact gains are not broken down in the source data. Conversely, Hungary experienced the steepest drop, losing 152 110 hives (-34 %), while Spain saw a reduction of 131 440 hives (-14 %). Cyprus reported a decline from 38 130 hives in 2020 to 33 640 in 2023.
Context: World Bee Day and EU Pollinator Strategy
The figures were published on 20 May 2023, World Bee Day, a global observance that highlights the essential role of bees and other pollinators for food production and ecosystem health. The release coincides with the European Commission’s presentation of “A New Deal for Pollinators,” an updated strategy that revises the 2018 EU Pollinators Initiative and responds to the European Citizens’ Initiative “Save bees and farmers!”.
Official Statements & Responses
The European Commission announced that the New Deal for Pollinators “sets out actions for the EU and member states to reverse the decline of wild pollinating insects by 2030.” The plan is positioned as a core component of the EU’s Nature Restoration Regulation and the broader Biodiversity Strategy 2030.
Data Scope and Limitations
Eurostat’s farm-structure statistics capture only beehives located on agricultural holdings. The reports acknowledge that the actual number of bee colonies across Europe is likely higher, as hives kept outside farms are not included. No contradictory figures appear among the sources, but the limited coverage constitutes a data gap for assessing the full pollinator population.
Future Outlook: Targets and Implementation
The New Deal for Pollinators aims for a full recovery of pollinator populations by 2030. Implementation will involve coordinated measures by EU institutions and national governments, aligned with the Nature Restoration Regulation and the Biodiversity Strategy 2030. Monitoring of beehive numbers on farms will continue to serve as an indicator of progress, while additional surveys may be needed to capture non-farm colonies and provide a more complete picture of Europe’s pollinator health.
