Protected areas — all countries

Protected areas — European Union

Protected areas in the European Union in 2025 — 21.1%. Since 2013, the indicator has risen by 6.51 pp.

2025 21.1% +0.8 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 21.1%2025
Period minimum 14.59%2014

Trend over time

2013–2025 · % of territory

Protected areas — European Union, 2013–2025141618202220132015201720192021202320252013: 14.59%2014: 14.59%2015: 15.29%2016: 16.41%2017: 18.25%2018: 19%2019: 19.67%2020: 19.94%2021: 20%2022: 20.1%2023: 20.1%2024: 20.3%2025: 21.1%
Change over the period: +6.51 pp Annual average: 0.54 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: European Union

European Union 21.1%
World 16.98%
Protected areas — European Union, by year European Union All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 21.1 +0.8 pp
2024 20.3 +0.2 pp
2023 20.1 +0 pp
2022 20.1 +0.09 pp
2021 20 +0.06 pp
2020 19.94 +0.27 pp
2019 19.67 +0.66 pp
2018 19 +0.75 pp
2017 18.25 +1.84 pp
2016 16.41 +1.13 pp
2015 15.29 +0.7 pp
2014 14.59 −0 pp
2013 14.59

About the indicator

The share of terrestrial and marine protected areas in the total area of a country: national parks, nature reserves, natural monuments, sanctuaries and other IUCN categories. The target set by the Kunming-Montreal framework is 30 percent of land and sea under protection by 2030.

Important: The aggregate is weighted by total area rather than land area: protected areas include marine waters as well.

Source: World Development Indicators (World Bank), license CC BY 4.0.