Terrestrial protected areas in Africa
Africa: Terrestrial protected areas was 3.06 million sq. km in 2010. ▲ Rising
Terrestrial protected areas in Africa, 1990–2010
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. Measured in sq. km.
Analysis
Africa recorded 3.06 million sq. km for terrestrial protected areas in 2010.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.1% on the previous year and up 4.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, terrestrial protected areas in Africa peaked at 3.06 million sq. km in 2009 and was at its lowest, 2.87 million sq. km, in 1990.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 21 years of available data.
Terrestrial protected areas in Africa, year by year
| Year | sq. km | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 2.87 million sq. km | — |
| 1991 | 2.89 million sq. km | +0.5% |
| 1992 | 2.90 million sq. km | +0.4% |
| 1993 | 2.89 million sq. km | -0.3% |
| 1994 | 2.90 million sq. km | +0.1% |
| 1995 | 2.90 million sq. km | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 2.92 million sq. km | +0.8% |
| 1997 | 2.92 million sq. km | +0.2% |
| 1998 | 2.93 million sq. km | +0.2% |
| 1999 | 2.93 million sq. km | +0.2% |
| 2000 | 2.94 million sq. km | +0.3% |
| 2001 | 2.95 million sq. km | +0.3% |
| 2002 | 3.04 million sq. km | +3.0% |
| 2003 | 3.05 million sq. km | +0.2% |
| 2004 | 3.05 million sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 3.05 million sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 3.05 million sq. km | +0.1% |
| 2007 | 3.06 million sq. km | +0.3% |
| 2008 | 3.06 million sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 3.06 million sq. km | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 3.06 million sq. km | -0.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 2.91 million sq. km | 2.87 million sq. km | 2.93 million sq. km | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.03 million sq. km | 2.94 million sq. km | 3.06 million sq. km | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.06 million sq. km | 3.06 million sq. km | 3.06 million sq. km | 1 |
Countries ranked near Africa
More environment data for Africa
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -7.93 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -7.12 Percentage change (2025)
- Temperature change 1.32 °C (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.213 °C (2025)
- Primary wood and paper products (export/import) — Export value 5.54 million 1000 USD (2024)
- Roundwood, coniferous — Production 32.26 million m3 (2024)
- Roundwood — Export value 714,851 1000 USD (2024)
- Roundwood — Export quantity 3.78 million m3 (2024)
- Roundwood — Import value 182,147 1000 USD (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is terrestrial protected areas in Africa?
- Terrestrial protected areas in Africa was 3.06 million sq. km in 2010, according to 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.
- What is the highest terrestrial protected areas recorded in Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.06 million sq. km in 2009.
- What is the lowest terrestrial protected areas recorded in Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.87 million sq. km in 1990.
- How does Africa rank for terrestrial protected areas?
- Africa ranks 1st out of 6 groups with data for 2010.
- Is terrestrial protected areas rising or falling in Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Africa data come from?
- The figures 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 part of Terrestrial protected areas (sq. km). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 21 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Nationally protected areas are totally or partially protected areas of at least 1,000 hectares that are designated as scientific reserves with limited public access, national parks, natural monuments, nature reserves or wildlife sanctuaries, protected landscapes, and areas managed mainly for sustainable use. Marine areas, unclassified areas, and litoral (intertidal) areas are not included. The data also do not include sites protected under local or provincial law.