Forest cover — all countries

Forest cover — South America

Forest cover in South America in 2023 — 47.73%. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 7.77 pp.

2023 47.73% −0.13 pp vs 2022
World rank
Period maximum 55.49%1990
Period minimum 47.73%2023

Trend over time

1990–2023 · % of land area

Forest cover — South America, 1990–20234648505254561990199419982002200620102014201820221990: 55.49%1991: 55.2%1992: 54.91%1993: 54.61%1994: 54.32%1995: 54.03%1996: 53.73%1997: 53.44%1998: 53.24%1999: 52.94%2000: 52.65%2001: 52.35%2002: 52.04%2003: 51.74%2004: 51.44%2005: 51.14%2006: 50.84%2007: 50.53%2008: 50.23%2009: 49.93%2010: 49.63%2011: 49.47%2012: 49.32%2013: 49.16%2014: 49.01%2015: 48.85%2016: 48.69%2017: 48.51%2018: 48.39%2019: 48.26%2020: 48.1%2021: 47.97%2022: 47.85%2023: 47.73%
Change over the period: −7.77 pp Annual average: -0.24 pp

Comparison, 2023

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

South America 47.73%
World 31.1%
Forest cover — South America, by year South America All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 47.73 −0.13 pp
2022 47.85 −0.12 pp
2021 47.97 −0.13 pp
2020 48.1 −0.16 pp
2019 48.26 −0.13 pp
2018 48.39 −0.12 pp
2017 48.51 −0.18 pp
2016 48.69 −0.16 pp
2015 48.85 −0.16 pp
2014 49.01 −0.15 pp
2013 49.16 −0.16 pp
2012 49.32 −0.16 pp
2011 49.47 −0.16 pp
2010 49.63 −0.3 pp
2009 49.93 −0.3 pp
2008 50.23 −0.3 pp
2007 50.53 −0.3 pp
2006 50.84 −0.3 pp
2005 51.14 −0.3 pp
2004 51.44 −0.3 pp
2003 51.74 −0.3 pp
2002 52.04 −0.3 pp
2001 52.35 −0.3 pp
2000 52.65 −0.29 pp
1999 52.94 −0.29 pp
1998 53.24 −0.21 pp
1997 53.44 −0.29 pp
1996 53.73 −0.29 pp
1995 54.03 −0.29 pp
1994 54.32 −0.29 pp
1993 54.61 −0.29 pp
1992 54.91 −0.29 pp
1991 55.2 −0.29 pp
1990 55.49

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.