New Zealand vs South Africa: Forest area primary planted
New Zealand
2.43 million
in 2025
South Africa
2.42 million
in 2025
New Zealand rank
22nd
South Africa rank
23rd
Forest area primary planted over time
- New Zealand
- South Africa
How they compare
New Zealand currently reports 2.43 million against 2.42 million in South Africa, a difference of 11,230.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 36 shared years of data; in 1990 it was South Africa ahead.
New Zealand ranks 22nd and South Africa ranks 23rd of 185 countries.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | New Zealand | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.75 million | 1.98 million | 227,123 | South Africa |
| 2000s | 2.02 million | 2.13 million | 100,923 | South Africa |
| 2010s | 2.04 million | 2.27 million | 226,368 | South Africa |
| 2020s | 2.28 million | 2.39 million | 108,200 | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher forest area primary planted, New Zealand or South Africa?
- New Zealand, at 2.43 million against 2.42 million in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in forest area primary planted between New Zealand and South Africa?
- 11,230, with New Zealand ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for New Zealand and South Africa?
- 36 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2025.
- How do New Zealand and South Africa rank globally for forest area primary planted?
- New Zealand ranks 22nd and South Africa ranks 23rd of 185 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Forest area primary planted. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.