Australia and New Zealand vs South Africa: Forest area as a proportion of total land area

Australia and New Zealand
18.1%
in 2025
South Africa
18.9%
in 2025
Australia and New Zealand rank
158th
South Africa rank
155th

Forest area as a proportion of total land area over time

  • Australia and New Zealand
  • South Africa
05101520199020072025

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 18.9% against 18.1% in Australia and New Zealand, a difference of 0.8%.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 6 shared years of data; in 1990 it was Australia and New Zealand ahead.

Australia and New Zealand ranks 158th and South Africa ranks 155th of 253 countries.

Across the 4 decades both report, Australia and New Zealand averaged higher in 2 and South Africa in 2.

Head to head by decade

Decade Australia and New Zealand South Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 18.1% 16.3% 1.8% Australia and New Zealand
2000s 18.0% 17.1% 0.9% Australia and New Zealand
2010s 17.8% 18.0% 0.1% South Africa
2020s 18.0% 18.7% 0.6% South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher forest area as a proportion of total land area, Australia and New Zealand or South Africa?
South Africa, at 18.9% against 18.1% in Australia and New Zealand as of 2025.
What is the difference in forest area as a proportion of total land area between Australia and New Zealand and South Africa?
0.8%, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Australia and New Zealand and South Africa?
6 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2025.
How do Australia and New Zealand and South Africa rank globally for forest area as a proportion of total land area?
Australia and New Zealand ranks 158th and South Africa ranks 155th of 253 countries.
Where does this data come from?
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as Forest area as a proportion of total land area (%). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Australia and New Zealand vs South Africa: Forest area as a proportion of total land area. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 17 September 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/compare/forest-area-as-a-proportion-of-total-land-area-percent/australia-and-new-zealand/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Forest area as a proportion of total land area (%)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
288 places, 1,728 data points, 1990–2025
Last refreshed