Terrestrial protected areas in South Africa
South Africa: Terrestrial protected areas was 84,129 sq. km in 2010. ▬ Flat
Terrestrial protected areas in South 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
The most recent figure for terrestrial protected areas in South Africa is 84,129 sq. km, measured in 2010. That is the highest value across all 21 years on record.
The figure is up 0.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, terrestrial protected areas in South Africa peaked at 84,129 sq. km in 2004 and was at its lowest, 79,684 sq. km, in 1990.
That places South Africa 16th out of 50 countries with data for 2010, putting it in the middle of the range.
Terrestrial protected areas in South Africa, year by year
| Year | sq. km | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 79,684 sq. km | — |
| 1991 | 81,366 sq. km | +2.1% |
| 1992 | 83,127 sq. km | +2.2% |
| 1993 | 83,209 sq. km | +0.1% |
| 1994 | 83,352 sq. km | +0.2% |
| 1995 | 83,550 sq. km | +0.2% |
| 1996 | 83,550 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 83,550 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 83,949 sq. km | +0.5% |
| 1999 | 83,949 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 84,098 sq. km | +0.2% |
| 2001 | 84,098 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 84,108 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 84,108 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 84,129 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 84,129 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 84,129 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 84,129 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 84,129 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 84,129 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 84,129 sq. km | +0.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 84,129 sq. km is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 40,520 sq. km, 2.1× the median. (7 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 84,129 sq. km is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 32,311 sq. km, 2.6× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 82,929 sq. km | 79,684 sq. km | 83,949 sq. km | 10 |
| 2000s | 84,119 sq. km | 84,098 sq. km | 84,129 sq. km | 10 |
| 2010s | 84,129 sq. km | 84,129 sq. km | 84,129 sq. km | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More environment data for South Africa
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 5.46 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 8.52 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.275 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.05 °C (2025)
- Wood-based panels — Production, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 2.59 % 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 0.2953 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is terrestrial protected areas in South Africa?
- Terrestrial protected areas in South Africa was 84,129 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 84,129 sq. km in 2004.
- What is the lowest terrestrial protected areas recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 79,684 sq. km in 1990.
- How does South Africa rank for terrestrial protected areas?
- South Africa ranks 16th out of 50 countries with data for 2010.
- Is terrestrial protected areas rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South 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.