Protected Land Area Percentage 2018

Protected land area percentage shows the share of a country's land dedicated to conservation and biodiversity.

210 data points••Global Coverage•Share of land area that is protected | Our World in Data•

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
New Caledonia flag
New Caledonia
54.4 %
2
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
54.1 %
3
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
53.6 %
4
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
48 %
5
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
46.9 %
6
Turks and Caicos Islands flag
Turks and Caicos Islands
44.4 %
7
Seychelles flag
Seychelles
42.1 %
8
China, Hong Kong SAR flag
China, Hong Kong SAR
41.9 %
9
Greenland flag
Greenland
41.2 %
10
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
40.9 %
11
Congo flag
Congo
40.7 %
12
Poland flag
Poland
39.7 %
13
Croatia flag
Croatia
38.3 %
14
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
38.2 %
15
Namibia flag
Namibia
37.9 %
16
Zambia flag
Zambia
37.9 %
17
Germany flag
Germany
37.8 %
18
Belize flag
Belize
37.7 %
19
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
37.6 %
20
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
37.4 %
21
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
37.2 %
22
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
36.6 %
23
Guinea flag
Guinea
35.6 %
24
Greece flag
Greece
35.2 %
25
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
34.7 %
26
Monaco flag
Monaco
33.2 %
27
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
32.8 %
28
Gibraltar flag
Gibraltar
32.4 %
29
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
30.9 %
30
Morocco flag
Morocco
30.8 %
31
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
30.6 %
32
Malta flag
Malta
30.3 %
33
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
29.9 %
34
Benin flag
Benin
29.6 %
35
Brazil flag
Brazil
29.4 %
36
Japan flag
Japan
29.4 %
37
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
29.3 %
38
Botswana flag
Botswana
29.1 %
39
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
28.7 %
40
Austria flag
Austria
28.4 %
41
Spain flag
Spain
28.1 %
42
Palau flag
Palau
28 %
43
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
27.6 %
44
Togo flag
Togo
27.6 %
45
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
27.2 %
46
Andorra flag
Andorra
26.7 %
47
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
26.2 %
48
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
26 %
49
France flag
France
25.8 %
50
Senegal flag
Senegal
25.4 %
51
Romania flag
Romania
24.5 %
52
Honduras flag
Honduras
23.9 %
53
Nepal flag
Nepal
23.6 %
54
Belgium flag
Belgium
23.3 %
55
Armenia flag
Armenia
23.1 %
56
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
22.9 %
57
Malawi flag
Malawi
22.9 %
58
Portugal flag
Portugal
22.9 %
59
Hungary flag
Hungary
22.6 %
60
Guam flag
Guam
22.5 %
61
Gabon flag
Gabon
22.4 %
62
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
22.4 %
63
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
22.4 %
64
Tajikistan flag
Tajikistan
22.3 %
65
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
22.2 %
66
Dominica flag
Dominica
22 %
67
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
21.7 %
68
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
21.6 %
69
Italy flag
Italy
21.5 %
70
Peru flag
Peru
21.3 %
71
Panama flag
Panama
20.9 %
72
Chad flag
Chad
20.4 %
73
Estonia flag
Estonia
20.2 %
74
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
20 %
75
Israel flag
Israel
19.9 %
76
Australia flag
Australia
19.3 %
77
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
19.3 %
78
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
19.1 %
79
Aruba flag
Aruba
18.9 %
80
Thailand flag
Thailand
18.8 %
81
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
18.7 %
82
Antigua and Barbuda flag
Antigua and Barbuda
18.6 %
83
Chile flag
Chile
18.5 %
84
Iceland flag
Iceland
18.2 %
85
Latvia flag
Latvia
18.2 %
86
Central African Republic flag
Central African Republic
18.1 %
87
Denmark flag
Denmark
18.1 %
88
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
18 %
89
Albania flag
Albania
17.7 %
90
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
17.7 %
91
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
17.6 %
92
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
17.5 %
93
Niger flag
Niger
17.3 %
94
Norway flag
Norway
17.1 %
95
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
17 %
96
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
16.7 %
97
Laos flag
Laos
16.7 %
98
Cuba flag
Cuba
16.6 %
99
Uganda flag
Uganda
16.1 %
100
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
15.9 %
101
Tonga flag
Tonga
15.9 %
102
American Samoa flag
American Samoa
15.8 %
103
Curaçao flag
Curaçao
15.7 %
104
China flag
China
15.6 %
105
South Sudan flag
South Sudan
15.5 %
106
Philippines flag
Philippines
15.3 %
107
Finland flag
Finland
15 %
108
Ghana flag
Ghana
15 %
109
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
14.9 %
110
Sweden flag
Sweden
14.9 %
111
Colombia flag
Colombia
14.8 %
112
Mexico flag
Mexico
14.5 %
113
Suriname flag
Suriname
14.5 %
114
Ireland flag
Ireland
14.4 %
115
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
14.3 %
116
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
13.9 %
117
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
13.8 %
118
United States Virgin Islands flag
United States Virgin Islands
13.8 %
119
Qatar flag
Qatar
13.2 %
120
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
13.1 %
121
Egypt flag
Egypt
13.1 %
122
United States flag
United States
13 %
123
Saint Martin (French part) flag
Saint Martin (French part)
12.8 %
124
Kenya flag
Kenya
12.4 %
125
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
12.3 %
126
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
12.2 %
127
Liechtenstein flag
Liechtenstein
11.9 %
128
Marshall Islands flag
Marshall Islands
11.9 %
129
South Korea flag
South Korea
11.7 %
130
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
11.2 %
131
Cayman Islands flag
Cayman Islands
10.8 %
132
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
10.6 %
133
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
10.2 %
134
Comoros flag
Comoros
10.2 %
135
Grenada flag
Grenada
9.8 %
136
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
9.7 %
137
Russia flag
Russia
9.7 %
138
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
9.7 %
139
Canada flag
Canada
9.6 %
140
Belarus flag
Belarus
9.4 %
141
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
9.4 %
142
British Virgin Islands flag
British Virgin Islands
9.1 %
143
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
9.1 %
144
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
8.8 %
145
Guyana flag
Guyana
8.7 %
146
Iran flag
Iran
8.6 %
147
Argentina flag
Argentina
8.5 %
148
State of Palestine flag
State of Palestine
8.4 %
149
Georgia flag
Georgia
8.3 %
150
Mali flag
Mali
8.2 %
151
South Africa flag
South Africa
8 %
152
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
7.9 %
153
Northern Mariana Islands flag
Northern Mariana Islands
7.7 %
154
Burundi flag
Burundi
7.6 %
155
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
7.6 %
156
Algeria flag
Algeria
7.5 %
157
Puerto Rico flag
Puerto Rico
7.3 %
158
Samoa flag
Samoa
7.3 %
159
Angola flag
Angola
7 %
160
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
6.7 %
161
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
6.6 %
162
Serbia flag
Serbia
6.6 %
163
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
6.4 %
164
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
6.4 %
165
India flag
India
6 %
166
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
5.6 %
167
Singapore flag
Singapore
5.6 %
168
Isle of Man flag
Isle of Man
5.5 %
169
Fiji flag
Fiji
5.4 %
170
Eritrea flag
Eritrea
4.9 %
171
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
4.8 %
172
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
4.7 %
173
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
4.6 %
174
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
4.2 %
175
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
4.2 %
176
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
4.2 %
177
Gambia flag
Gambia
4.1 %
178
Liberia flag
Liberia
4.1 %
179
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
4 %
180
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
3.4 %
181
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
3.4 %
182
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
3.3 %
183
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
3.3 %
184
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
3.2 %
185
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
3.1 %
186
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
2.9 %
187
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
2.6 %
188
Oman flag
Oman
2.6 %
189
North Korea flag
North Korea
2.4 %
190
Faroe Islands flag
Faroe Islands
2.3 %
191
Sudan flag
Sudan
2.3 %
192
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
2.2 %
193
Bermuda flag
Bermuda
2.1 %
194
French Polynesia flag
French Polynesia
2 %
195
Tuvalu flag
Tuvalu
2 %
196
Haiti flag
Haiti
1.9 %
197
Jordan flag
Jordan
1.8 %
198
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
1.6 %
199
Iraq flag
Iraq
1.5 %
200
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
1.4 %
201
Barbados flag
Barbados
1.3 %
202
Maldives flag
Maldives
1.2 %
203
Yemen flag
Yemen
0.8 %
204
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
0.7 %
205
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
0.6 %
206
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
0.3 %
207
Libya flag
Libya
0.2 %
208
Turkey flag
Turkey
0.2 %
209
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
0.1 %
210
Micronesia (Fed. States of) flag
Micronesia (Fed. States of)
0 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1New Caledonia flagNew Caledonia
  2. #2Venezuela flagVenezuela
  3. #3Slovenia flagSlovenia
  4. #4Bhutan flagBhutan
  5. #5Brunei Darussalam flagBrunei Darussalam
  6. #6Turks and Caicos Islands flagTurks and Caicos Islands
  7. #7Seychelles flagSeychelles
  8. #8China, Hong Kong SAR flagChina, Hong Kong SAR
  9. #9Greenland flagGreenland
  10. #10Luxembourg flagLuxembourg

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #210Micronesia (Fed. States of) flagMicronesia (Fed. States of)
  2. #209Afghanistan flagAfghanistan
  3. #208Turkey flagTurkey
  4. #207Libya flagLibya
  5. #206Lesotho flagLesotho
  6. #205Mauritania flagMauritania
  7. #204Syrian Arab Republic flagSyrian Arab Republic
  8. #203Yemen flagYemen
  9. #202Maldives flagMaldives
  10. #201Barbados flagBarbados

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

In 2018, New Caledonia led the world in Protected Land Area Percentage with a remarkable 54.4%, while the global range spanned from a minimum of 1.40% to a maximum of 54.40%. The global average for Protected Land Area Percentage stood at 17.90%, providing a benchmark for conservation efforts worldwide.

Conservation Leaders and Their Strategies

Countries with the highest percentages of protected land demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation and biodiversity. New Caledonia and Venezuela both exceed 54%, reflecting robust conservation policies and the prioritization of biodiversity. In Slovenia, where 53.6% of land is protected, initiatives like the Natura 2000 network contribute significantly to these figures. Bhutan, with 48%, exemplifies a national policy that balances development with environmental preservation, driven by its Gross National Happiness philosophy which prioritizes ecological sustainability.

Challenges in Low Protection Regions

At the opposite end of the spectrum, countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iraq report minimal protected land areas at 1.4% and 1.5%, respectively. These low figures often stem from economic constraints, political instability, and competing land-use priorities. For instance, in Djibouti and Jordan, where protected land is less than 2%, limited financial resources and ongoing socio-economic challenges hinder the expansion of conservation areas.

Economic and Policy Drivers of Protection Levels

The disparities in Protected Land Area Percentages can often be attributed to economic factors and policy choices. In countries like Brunei Darussalam (46.9%) and Seychelles (42.1%), wealth generated from natural resources and tourism supports extensive conservation programs. Conversely, in countries with lower percentages, such as Haiti (1.9%), economic limitations and higher population densities necessitate prioritizing immediate economic growth over long-term environmental goals.

Significant Year-over-Year Changes

Examining year-over-year changes reveals notable shifts in conservation priorities. Cyprus experienced a dramatic increase of 18.70% (100.0%), driven by new environmental legislation and efforts to align with broader European Union conservation standards. Similarly, Paraguay saw a 7.80% (120.0%) increase, reflecting intensified efforts to combat deforestation and preserve biodiversity. On the other hand, Guatemala faced a significant decrease of 11.70% (-36.9%), highlighting challenges in maintaining protected areas amid socio-political pressures and land-use conflicts. Denmark and South Africa also saw reductions of 8.00% (-30.7%) and 6.10% (-43.3%), respectively, possibly due to policy shifts favoring agricultural expansion and urban development.

The data on Protected Land Area Percentage in 2018 underscores the complex interplay between ecological priorities and socio-economic realities across the globe. While some nations lead with extensive conservation areas, others struggle to balance environmental protection with pressing development needs. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for fostering global biodiversity and promoting sustainable land management practices.

Frequently Asked Questions About Protected Land Area Percentage in 2018

Which country had the highest percentage of protected land area in 2018?

New Caledonia had the highest percentage of protected land area in 2018, with 54.4%.

Which country had the lowest percentage of protected land area in 2018?

Micronesia (Fed. States of) had the lowest percentage of protected land area in 2018, with 0%.

What was the average percentage of protected land area across all countries in 2018?

The average percentage of protected land area across all countries in 2018 was 17.07%.

What was the median percentage of protected land area in 2018?

The median percentage of protected land area in 2018 was 15.4%.

Which countries were in the top 3 for protected land area percentage in 2018?

The top 3 countries for protected land area percentage in 2018 were New Caledonia (54.4%), Venezuela (54.1%), and Slovenia (53.6%).

How many countries were included in the dataset for protected land area percentage in 2018?

The dataset for protected land area percentage in 2018 included 210 countries.

Insights by country

1

Fiji

In 2018, Fiji ranked #169 globally with a Protected Land Area Percentage of 5.4%. This figure is notably lower than the global average of approximately 15% for protected land areas. The limited protection in Fiji can be attributed to its focus on tourism and agriculture, which often prioritize land development over conservation efforts.

2

Djibouti

In 2018, Djibouti ranked #198 globally with a Protected Land Area Percentage of 1.6%. This figure is significantly lower than the global average, reflecting Djibouti's limited natural resources and arid climate. The country's focus on economic development, particularly in port services and logistics, often prioritizes industrial growth over environmental conservation.

3

Israel

In 2018, Israel ranked #75 globally with a Protected Land Area Percentage of 19.9 %. This figure is notably lower than the global average, indicating a significant opportunity for expansion in conservation efforts. Factors contributing to this statistic include Israel's high population density and urban development pressures, which prioritize land for housing and agriculture over preservation.

4

Gibraltar

In 2018, Gibraltar ranked #28 globally for Protected Land Area Percentage, with a value of 32.4 %. This percentage is notably higher than the global average, illustrating Gibraltar's commitment to environmental conservation. The key drivers behind this statistic include its small geographic size, which allows for focused conservation efforts, and a strong local policy framework prioritizing the protection of natural habitats.

5

Botswana

Botswana ranked #38 globally with a Protected Land Area Percentage of 29.1% in 2018. This figure is notable as it exceeds the global average, reflecting the country's commitment to conservation compared to many nations. Key drivers of this high percentage include Botswana's vast landscapes and a strong policy framework focused on wildlife preservation and eco-tourism, which are vital to its economy.

6

Kenya

In 2018, Kenya ranked #124 globally with a Protected Land Area Percentage of 12.4%. This figure is below the global average, indicating a need for enhanced conservation efforts compared to top-ranked countries like Bhutan, which boasts over 50% protected land. Key drivers of Kenya's protected land area include its rich biodiversity and the ongoing challenges of balancing economic development with conservation policies, particularly in areas heavily reliant on tourism and agriculture.

7

Eritrea

Eritrea ranked #170 globally with a Protected Land Area Percentage of 4.9% in 2018. This figure is significantly lower than the global average, indicating limited areas designated for conservation compared to countries with more robust environmental policies.

The low percentage can be attributed to Eritrea's focus on economic development and agricultural expansion, which often prioritizes land use over preservation. Additionally, the country's challenging geographic conditions and limited resources hinder the establishment of protected areas.

8

Italy

In 2018, Italy ranked #69 globally with a Protected Land Area Percentage of 21.5%. This percentage is relatively high compared to some neighboring countries, reflecting Italy's commitment to preserving its diverse ecosystems. Key drivers behind this statistic include Italy's rich biodiversity, extensive national parks, and strong environmental protection policies that prioritize conservation efforts in both urban and rural areas.

9

Chad

In 2018, Chad ranked #72 globally with a Protected Land Area Percentage of 20.4%. This percentage is notably higher than the global average, reflecting Chad's commitment to conservation in a region where environmental challenges are significant. The country's diverse ecosystems, including the Sahelian and Saharan landscapes, drive the need for protected areas to safeguard biodiversity and combat desertification.

10

South Korea

In 2018, South Korea achieved a Protected Land Area Percentage of 11.7 %, ranking #129 out of 210 countries. This figure is below the global average, indicating a limited commitment to land conservation compared to higher-ranking nations. The relatively low percentage can be attributed to South Korea's rapid urbanization and industrial development, which have prioritized economic growth over environmental preservation.

Data Source

Share of land area that is protected | Our World in Data

Our World in Data is an online publication that presents research and data on various global issues, including environmental statistics. The dataset on the share of land area that is protected provides country-level information on the proportion of terrestrial areas designated for conservation.

Visit Data Source

Historical Data by Year

Explore Protected Land Area Percentage data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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