Namibia vs South Africa: Marine protected areas

Namibia
67,972 sq. km
in 2010
South Africa
79,144 sq. km
in 2010
Namibia rank
7th
South Africa rank
6th

Marine protected areas over time

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

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 79,144 sq. km against 67,972 sq. km in Namibia, a difference of 11,172 sq. km.

That makes South Africa's figure about 1.2 times Namibia's.

Across all 21 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.

Namibia ranks 7th and South Africa ranks 6th of 37 countries.

South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Namibia South Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 4,179 sq. km 8,304 sq. km 4,125 sq. km South Africa
2000s 10,559 sq. km 63,450 sq. km 52,892 sq. km South Africa
2010s 67,972 sq. km 79,144 sq. km 11,172 sq. km South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher marine protected areas, Namibia or South Africa?
South Africa, at 79,144 sq. km against 67,972 sq. km in Namibia as of 2010.
What is the difference in marine protected areas between Namibia and South Africa?
11,172 sq. km, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Namibia and South Africa?
21 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2010.
How do Namibia and South Africa rank globally for marine protected areas?
Namibia ranks 7th 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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Namibia 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 17 August 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/compare/marine-protected-areas-sq-km/namibia/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.