Land use over the long-term in Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo: Land use over the long-term was 18.20 million hectares in 2025. ▲ Rising
Latest (2025)
18.20 million hectares
Change on year
up 0.0%
World rank
38th
of 202 countries
All-time high
18.20 million hectares
in 2007
All-time low
3.37 million hectares
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Land use over the long-term in Democratic Republic of Congo, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for land use over the long-term in Democratic Republic of Congo is 18.20 million hectares, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, land use over the long-term in Democratic Republic of Congo peaked at 18.20 million hectares in 2007 and was at its lowest, 3.37 million hectares, in 1000.
Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 38th of 202 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 108 years of available data.
Land use over the long-term in Democratic Republic of Congo, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 3.37 million hectares | — |
| 1100 | 3.93 million hectares | +16.7% |
| 1200 | 4.49 million hectares | +14.3% |
| 1300 | 5.05 million hectares | +12.5% |
| 1400 | 5.89 million hectares | +16.7% |
| 1500 | 6.74 million hectares | +14.3% |
| 1600 | 7.16 million hectares | +6.2% |
| 1700 | 7.58 million hectares | +5.9% |
| 1710 | 7.70 million hectares | +1.6% |
| 1720 | 7.82 million hectares | +1.6% |
| 1730 | 7.94 million hectares | +1.6% |
| 1740 | 8.07 million hectares | +1.5% |
| 1750 | 8.19 million hectares | +1.5% |
| 1760 | 8.31 million hectares | +1.5% |
| 1770 | 8.43 million hectares | +1.5% |
| 1780 | 8.55 million hectares | +1.4% |
| 1790 | 8.68 million hectares | +1.4% |
| 1800 | 8.80 million hectares | +1.4% |
| 1810 | 8.92 million hectares | +1.4% |
| 1820 | 9.04 million hectares | +1.4% |
| 1830 | 9.16 million hectares | +1.3% |
| 1840 | 9.29 million hectares | +1.3% |
| 1850 | 9.41 million hectares | +1.3% |
| 1860 | 9.46 million hectares | +0.6% |
| 1870 | 10.08 million hectares | +6.5% |
| 1880 | 10.88 million hectares | +7.9% |
| 1890 | 11.38 million hectares | +4.6% |
| 1900 | 10.81 million hectares | -5.0% |
| 1910 | 9.78 million hectares | -9.6% |
| 1920 | 9.22 million hectares | -5.7% |
| 1930 | 10.51 million hectares | +14.0% |
| 1940 | 11.87 million hectares | +12.9% |
| 1950 | 13.94 million hectares | +17.5% |
| 1951 | 14.22 million hectares | +2.0% |
| 1952 | 14.51 million hectares | +2.0% |
| 1953 | 14.81 million hectares | +2.1% |
| 1954 | 15.13 million hectares | +2.1% |
| 1955 | 15.47 million hectares | +2.2% |
| 1956 | 15.82 million hectares | +2.3% |
| 1957 | 16.20 million hectares | +2.4% |
| 1958 | 16.60 million hectares | +2.5% |
| 1959 | 17.02 million hectares | +2.5% |
| 1960 | 17.45 million hectares | +2.5% |
| 1961 | 18.10 million hectares | +3.7% |
| 1962 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1966 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1971 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1976 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1977 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1980 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1981 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1982 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1984 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1987 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 18.10 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 18.14 million hectares | +0.2% |
| 2007 | 18.20 million hectares | +0.4% |
| 2008 | 18.20 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 18.20 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 18.20 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 18.20 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 18.20 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 18.20 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 18.20 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 18.20 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 18.20 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 18.20 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2018 | 18.20 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 18.20 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 18.20 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2021 | 18.20 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 18.20 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 18.20 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2024 | 18.20 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 18.20 million hectares | +0.0% |
Democratic Republic of Congo compared with similar countries
- Democratic Republic of Congo's 18.20 million hectares is above the median for low income countries, which is 7.53 million hectares, 2.4× the median. (24 countries reporting)
- Democratic Republic of Congo's 18.20 million hectares is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 6.45 million hectares, 2.8× the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 3.37 million hectares | 3.37 million hectares | 3.37 million hectares | 1 |
| 1100s | 3.93 million hectares | 3.93 million hectares | 3.93 million hectares | 1 |
| 1200s | 4.49 million hectares | 4.49 million hectares | 4.49 million hectares | 1 |
| 1300s | 5.05 million hectares | 5.05 million hectares | 5.05 million hectares | 1 |
| 1400s | 5.89 million hectares | 5.89 million hectares | 5.89 million hectares | 1 |
| 1500s | 6.74 million hectares | 6.74 million hectares | 6.74 million hectares | 1 |
| 1600s | 7.16 million hectares | 7.16 million hectares | 7.16 million hectares | 1 |
| 1700s | 7.58 million hectares | 7.58 million hectares | 7.58 million hectares | 1 |
| 1710s | 7.70 million hectares | 7.70 million hectares | 7.70 million hectares | 1 |
| 1720s | 7.82 million hectares | 7.82 million hectares | 7.82 million hectares | 1 |
| 1730s | 7.94 million hectares | 7.94 million hectares | 7.94 million hectares | 1 |
| 1740s | 8.07 million hectares | 8.07 million hectares | 8.07 million hectares | 1 |
| 1750s | 8.19 million hectares | 8.19 million hectares | 8.19 million hectares | 1 |
| 1760s | 8.31 million hectares | 8.31 million hectares | 8.31 million hectares | 1 |
| 1770s | 8.43 million hectares | 8.43 million hectares | 8.43 million hectares | 1 |
| 1780s | 8.55 million hectares | 8.55 million hectares | 8.55 million hectares | 1 |
| 1790s | 8.68 million hectares | 8.68 million hectares | 8.68 million hectares | 1 |
| 1800s | 8.80 million hectares | 8.80 million hectares | 8.80 million hectares | 1 |
| 1810s | 8.92 million hectares | 8.92 million hectares | 8.92 million hectares | 1 |
| 1820s | 9.04 million hectares | 9.04 million hectares | 9.04 million hectares | 1 |
| 1830s | 9.16 million hectares | 9.16 million hectares | 9.16 million hectares | 1 |
| 1840s | 9.29 million hectares | 9.29 million hectares | 9.29 million hectares | 1 |
| 1850s | 9.41 million hectares | 9.41 million hectares | 9.41 million hectares | 1 |
| 1860s | 9.46 million hectares | 9.46 million hectares | 9.46 million hectares | 1 |
| 1870s | 10.08 million hectares | 10.08 million hectares | 10.08 million hectares | 1 |
| 1880s | 10.88 million hectares | 10.88 million hectares | 10.88 million hectares | 1 |
| 1890s | 11.38 million hectares | 11.38 million hectares | 11.38 million hectares | 1 |
| 1900s | 10.81 million hectares | 10.81 million hectares | 10.81 million hectares | 1 |
| 1910s | 9.78 million hectares | 9.78 million hectares | 9.78 million hectares | 1 |
| 1920s | 9.22 million hectares | 9.22 million hectares | 9.22 million hectares | 1 |
| 1930s | 10.51 million hectares | 10.51 million hectares | 10.51 million hectares | 1 |
| 1940s | 11.87 million hectares | 11.87 million hectares | 11.87 million hectares | 1 |
| 1950s | 15.37 million hectares | 13.94 million hectares | 17.02 million hectares | 10 |
| 1960s | 18.03 million hectares | 17.45 million hectares | 18.10 million hectares | 10 |
| 1970s | 18.10 million hectares | 18.10 million hectares | 18.10 million hectares | 10 |
| 1980s | 18.10 million hectares | 18.10 million hectares | 18.10 million hectares | 10 |
| 1990s | 18.10 million hectares | 18.10 million hectares | 18.10 million hectares | 10 |
| 2000s | 18.13 million hectares | 18.10 million hectares | 18.20 million hectares | 10 |
| 2010s | 18.20 million hectares | 18.20 million hectares | 18.20 million hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 18.20 million hectares | 18.20 million hectares | 18.20 million hectares | 6 |
Countries ranked near Democratic Republic of Congo
More environment data for Democratic Republic of Congo
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 2.26 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 5.2 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), annual 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), per unit of 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) (Mt CO2e) 0.338 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is land use over the long-term in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Land use over the long-term in Democratic Republic of Congo was 18.20 million hectares in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest land use over the long-term recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The highest recorded value was 18.20 million hectares in 2007.
- What is the lowest land use over the long-term recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.37 million hectares in 1000.
- How does Democratic Republic of Congo rank for land use over the long-term?
- Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 38th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is land use over the long-term rising or falling in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Democratic Republic of Congo data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Land use over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 108 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Total grazingland area for each separate country over time.