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Forest cover — all countries

Forest cover — Western Africa

Forest cover in Western Africa in 2023 — 13.65%. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 3.64 pp.

2023 13.65% −0.09 pp vs 2022
World rank —
Period maximum 17.29%1990
Period minimum 13.65%2023

Trend over time

1990–2023 · % of land area

Forest cover — Western Africa, 1990–20231314151617181990199419982002200620102014201820221990: 17.29%1991: 17.14%1992: 17%1993: 16.85%1994: 16.7%1995: 16.56%1996: 16.41%1997: 16.27%1998: 16.12%1999: 15.97%2000: 15.83%2001: 15.73%2002: 15.62%2003: 15.52%2004: 15.42%2005: 15.31%2006: 15.21%2007: 15.11%2008: 15%2009: 14.9%2010: 14.8%2011: 14.71%2012: 14.62%2013: 14.52%2014: 14.43%2015: 14.34%2016: 14.26%2017: 14.18%2018: 14.09%2019: 14%2020: 13.92%2021: 13.83%2022: 13.74%2023: 13.65%
Change over the period: −3.64 pp Annual average: -0.11 pp

Comparison, 2023

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

Western Africa 13.65%
World 31.1%
Forest cover — Western Africa, by year Western Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 13.65 −0.09 pp
2022 13.74 −0.09 pp
2021 13.83 −0.09 pp
2020 13.92 −0.09 pp
2019 14 −0.09 pp
2018 14.09 −0.09 pp
2017 14.18 −0.08 pp
2016 14.26 −0.08 pp
2015 14.34 −0.09 pp
2014 14.43 −0.09 pp
2013 14.52 −0.09 pp
2012 14.62 −0.09 pp
2011 14.71 −0.09 pp
2010 14.8 −0.1 pp
2009 14.9 −0.1 pp
2008 15 −0.1 pp
2007 15.11 −0.1 pp
2006 15.21 −0.1 pp
2005 15.31 −0.1 pp
2004 15.42 −0.1 pp
2003 15.52 −0.1 pp
2002 15.62 −0.1 pp
2001 15.73 −0.1 pp
2000 15.83 −0.15 pp
1999 15.97 −0.15 pp
1998 16.12 −0.15 pp
1997 16.27 −0.15 pp
1996 16.41 −0.15 pp
1995 16.56 −0.15 pp
1994 16.7 −0.15 pp
1993 16.85 −0.15 pp
1992 17 −0.15 pp
1991 17.14 −0.15 pp
1990 17.29 —

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 Western Africa

Environment Forest area

The absolute area of forest in square kilometers.

Western Africa by year Environment Land area

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

Western Africa by year Environment Protected areas

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

Western Africa by year Agriculture Agricultural land share

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

Western Africa by year
All indicators for Western Africa