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Forest cover — all countries

Forest cover — South Africa

Forest cover in South Africa in 2023 — 13.97%. Ranked 147 in the world out of 213. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 0.99 pp.

2023 13.97% −0.03 pp vs 2022
World rank 147of 213
Period maximum 14.96%1990
Period minimum 13.97%2023

Trend over time

1990–2023 · % of land area

Forest cover — South Africa, 1990–202313.751414.2514.514.75151990199419982002200620102014201820221990: 14.96%1991: 14.93%1992: 14.9%1993: 14.87%1994: 14.84%1995: 14.81%1996: 14.78%1997: 14.75%1998: 14.72%1999: 14.69%2000: 14.66%2001: 14.63%2002: 14.6%2003: 14.57%2004: 14.54%2005: 14.51%2006: 14.48%2007: 14.45%2008: 14.42%2009: 14.39%2010: 14.36%2011: 14.33%2012: 14.3%2013: 14.27%2014: 14.24%2015: 14.21%2016: 14.18%2017: 14.15%2018: 14.12%2019: 14.09%2020: 14.06%2021: 14.03%2022: 14%2023: 13.97%
Change over the period: −0.99 pp Annual average: -0.03 pp

Comparison, 2023

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South Africa

South Africa 13.97%
World 31.1%
Sub-Saharan Africa 25.74%
Southern Africa computed 14.64%
Upper-middle-income countries computed 30.65%
Forest cover — South Africa, by year South Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 13.97 −0.03 pp
2022 14 −0.03 pp
2021 14.03 −0.03 pp
2020 14.06 −0.03 pp
2019 14.09 −0.03 pp
2018 14.12 −0.03 pp
2017 14.15 −0.03 pp
2016 14.18 −0.03 pp
2015 14.21 −0.03 pp
2014 14.24 −0.03 pp
2013 14.27 −0.03 pp
2012 14.3 −0.03 pp
2011 14.33 −0.03 pp
2010 14.36 −0.03 pp
2009 14.39 −0.03 pp
2008 14.42 −0.03 pp
2007 14.45 −0.03 pp
2006 14.48 −0.03 pp
2005 14.51 −0.03 pp
2004 14.54 −0.03 pp
2003 14.57 −0.03 pp
2002 14.6 −0.03 pp
2001 14.63 −0.03 pp
2000 14.66 −0.03 pp
1999 14.69 −0.03 pp
1998 14.72 −0.03 pp
1997 14.75 −0.03 pp
1996 14.78 −0.03 pp
1995 14.81 −0.03 pp
1994 14.84 −0.03 pp
1993 14.87 −0.03 pp
1992 14.9 −0.03 pp
1991 14.93 −0.03 pp
1990 14.96 —

Southern Africa, 2023

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

SZ Eswatini 29.14 BW Botswana 26.29 ZA South Africa 13.97 NA Namibia 7.81 LS Lesotho 1.14
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 South Africa

Environment Forest area

The absolute area of forest in square kilometers.

South Africa by year Environment Land area

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

South Africa by year Environment Protected areas

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

South Africa by year Agriculture Agricultural land share

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

South Africa by year
All indicators for South Africa