Proportion of forest area within legally established protected areas in Europe and Northern America
Europe and Northern America: Proportion of forest area within legally established protected areas was 17.7% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Proportion of forest area within legally established protected areas in Europe and Northern America, 1990–2025
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in %.
Analysis
Europe and Northern America recorded 17.7% for proportion of forest area within legally established protected areas in 2025. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.
That represents a change of up 7.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, proportion of forest area within legally established protected areas in Europe and Northern America peaked at 17.7% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 11.8%, in 1990.
That places Europe and Northern America 21st out of 35 groups with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Proportion of forest area within legally established protected areas in Europe and Northern America, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 11.8% | — |
| 2000 | 13.1% | +11.6% |
| 2010 | 15.8% | +20.5% |
| 2015 | 16.6% | +4.5% |
| 2020 | 17.0% | +2.7% |
| 2025 | 17.7% | +4.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 11.8% | 11.8% | 11.8% | 1 |
| 2000s | 13.1% | 13.1% | 13.1% | 1 |
| 2010s | 16.2% | 15.8% | 16.6% | 2 |
| 2020s | 17.4% | 17.0% | 17.7% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Europe and Northern America
- 18 Uganda 53.9% compare
- 19 Sao Tome and Principe 53.6% compare
- 20 Guatemala 50.3% compare
- 21 Kenya 49.7% compare
- 22 Cabo Verde 48.3% compare
- 23 Mozambique 47.1% compare
- 24 Montserrat 46.7% compare
More environment data for Europe and Northern America
- Average proportion of Marine Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) covered by 61.5% (2025)
- Average proportion of Terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) 62.5% (2025)
- Average proportion of Mountain Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) covered 64.7% (2025)
- Average proportion of Freshwater Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) 58.8% (2025)
- Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services, by 85.5% (2024)
- Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water 94.2% (2024)
- Proportion of population using basic drinking water services, by 98.9% (2024)
- Proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location 98.0% (2024)
- Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of 11.3% (2023)
- Water Use Efficiency 56.62 USD/m3 (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is proportion of forest area within legally established protected areas in Europe and Northern America?
- Proportion of forest area within legally established protected areas in Europe and Northern America was 17.7% in 2025, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest proportion of forest area within legally established protected areas recorded in Europe and Northern America?
- The highest recorded value was 17.7% in 2025.
- What is the lowest proportion of forest area within legally established protected areas recorded in Europe and Northern America?
- The lowest recorded value was 11.8% in 1990.
- How does Europe and Northern America rank for proportion of forest area within legally established protected areas?
- Europe and Northern America ranks 21st out of 35 groups with data for 2025.
- Is proportion of forest area within legally established protected areas rising or falling in Europe and Northern America?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Europe and Northern America data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Proportion of forest area within legally established protected areas (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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