Kenya vs South Africa: Marine protected areas

Kenya
60,778 sq. km
in 2010
South Africa
79,144 sq. km
in 2010
Kenya rank
8th
South Africa rank
6th

Marine protected areas over time

  • Kenya
  • South Africa
020.0k40.0k60.0k80.0k199020002010

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 79,144 sq. km against 60,778 sq. km in Kenya, a difference of 18,366 sq. km.

That makes South Africa's figure about 1.3 times Kenya's.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 21 shared years of data; in 1990 it was Kenya ahead.

Kenya ranks 8th and South Africa ranks 6th of 37 countries.

Across the 3 decades both report, Kenya averaged higher in 1 and South Africa in 2.

Head to head by decade

Decade Kenya South Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 32,511 sq. km 8,304 sq. km 24,207 sq. km Kenya
2000s 60,778 sq. km 63,450 sq. km 2,673 sq. km South Africa
2010s 60,778 sq. km 79,144 sq. km 18,366 sq. km South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher marine protected areas, Kenya or South Africa?
South Africa, at 79,144 sq. km against 60,778 sq. km in Kenya as of 2010.
What is the difference in marine protected areas between Kenya and South Africa?
18,366 sq. km, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Kenya and South Africa?
21 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2010.
How do Kenya and South Africa rank globally for marine protected areas?
Kenya ranks 8th and South Africa ranks 6th of 37 countries.
Where does this data come from?
United Nations Environmental Program and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, as compiled by the World Resources Institute, based on data from national authorities, national legislation and inter, published as Marine protected areas (sq. km). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Kenya vs South Africa: Marine protected areas. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Environmental Program and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, as compiled by the World Resources Institute, based on data from national authorities, national legislation and inter. Retrieved 24 August 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/compare/marine-protected-areas-sq-km/kenya/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Marine protected areas (sq. km)
Unit
sq. km
Source
United Nations Environmental Program and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, as compiled by the World Resources Institute, based on data from national authorities, national legislation and inter
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
43 places, 899 data points, 1990–2010
Last refreshed

Marine protected areas are areas of intertidal or subtidal terrain--and overlying water and associated flora and fauna and historical and cultural features--that have been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment.