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Forest cover — all countries

Forest cover — New Zealand

Forest cover in New Zealand in 2023 — 37.79%. Ranked 81 in the world out of 213. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 2.2 pp.

2023 37.79% +0.07 pp vs 2022
World rank 81of 213
Period maximum 37.79%2023
Period minimum 35.59%1990

Trend over time

1990–2023 · % of land area

Forest cover — New Zealand, 1990–2023353637381990199419982002200620102014201820221990: 35.59%1991: 35.78%1992: 35.96%1993: 36.14%1994: 36.32%1995: 36.5%1996: 36.68%1997: 36.87%1998: 37.05%1999: 37.23%2000: 37.41%2001: 37.41%2002: 37.41%2003: 37.41%2004: 37.41%2005: 37.41%2006: 37.4%2007: 37.4%2008: 37.4%2009: 37.4%2010: 37.4%2011: 37.4%2012: 37.4%2013: 37.4%2014: 37.4%2015: 37.4%2016: 37.4%2017: 37.41%2018: 37.43%2019: 37.47%2020: 37.57%2021: 37.63%2022: 37.72%2023: 37.79%
Change over the period: +2.2 pp Annual average: 0.07 pp

Comparison, 2023

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: New Zealand

New Zealand 37.79%
World 31.1%
East Asia & Pacific 27.26%
Australia and New Zealand computed 18.1%
High-income countries computed 36.18%
Forest cover — New Zealand, by year New Zealand All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 37.79 +0.07 pp
2022 37.72 +0.09 pp
2021 37.63 +0.06 pp
2020 37.57 +0.1 pp
2019 37.47 +0.04 pp
2018 37.43 +0.02 pp
2017 37.41 +0.02 pp
2016 37.4 +0 pp
2015 37.4 −0 pp
2014 37.4 −0 pp
2013 37.4 −0 pp
2012 37.4 −0 pp
2011 37.4 −0 pp
2010 37.4 −0 pp
2009 37.4 −0 pp
2008 37.4 −0 pp
2007 37.4 −0 pp
2006 37.4 −0 pp
2005 37.41 −0 pp
2004 37.41 −0 pp
2003 37.41 −0 pp
2002 37.41 −0 pp
2001 37.41 −0 pp
2000 37.41 +0.18 pp
1999 37.23 +0.18 pp
1998 37.05 +0.18 pp
1997 36.87 +0.18 pp
1996 36.68 +0.18 pp
1995 36.5 +0.18 pp
1994 36.32 +0.18 pp
1993 36.14 +0.18 pp
1992 35.96 +0.18 pp
1991 35.78 +0.18 pp
1990 35.59 —

Australia and New Zealand, 2023

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

NZ New Zealand 37.79 AU Australia 17.42
Full table for all countries

About the indicator

The share of land under natural or planted forest in the total land area. Under the FAO definition, forest is a plot larger than 0.5 hectares with trees taller than 5 meters and a canopy cover above 10 percent; crop plantations and urban parks are not counted. The estimates are updated as part of the Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA).

Important: The aggregate for groups of countries is weighted by land area: the forest share is calculated against land area, not against the number of residents.

Source: FAOSTAT (FAO), license CC BY 4.0.

Other indicators for New Zealand

Environment Forest area

The absolute area of forest in square kilometers.

New Zealand by year Environment Land area

The area of a country excluding inland water bodies — the denominator for every land share.

New Zealand by year Environment Protected areas

The share of land and sea under protection — nature reserves, national parks, sanctuaries.

New Zealand by year Agriculture Agricultural land share

What part of the territory is used for arable land, permanent crops and pasture.

New Zealand by year
All indicators for New Zealand