“According to FAO estimates, there were 22.5 million bee colonies in Europe in 1990. By the turn of the millennium, their number had fallen. Although populations are recovering – in 2021 there were approximately 25.1 million bee colonies. Beekeeping and apiculture have also increased significantly worldwide in recent decades. The FAO estimated the number of bee colonies worldwide to be around 101.6 million in 2021. Compared to 1990, this corresponded to an increase of 47%.”
Federal Statistical Office of Germany | Conservation & Biodiversity