Belize Forest Area
Forest area as % of land area AG.LND.FRST.ZS
Belize's forest area was 53.54% in 2025, ranked 40th globally. This represents a 1.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Belize's forest area stood at 53.54% in 2025, a decline of +0.98% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 53.54% by 2025. Belize ranked 40th globally.
Belize’s forest area has contracted sharply over the 35‑year span from 1990 to 2025, falling from an all‑time peak of 70.15 % of land area in 1990 to a trough of 53.54 % in 2025, placing the country at rank 40 globally. This 23.6 percentage‑point decline reflects persistent pressures from agricultural expansion, logging and infrastructure projects, which have outpaced reforestation efforts. The magnitude of loss is comparable to the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose forest cover stands at 53.22 % in the same year, and exceeds that of the Northern Mariana Islands at 52.96 %. While Belize still retains more forest than many small island economies, the downward trajectory suggests that without stronger land‑use policies, protected‑area enforcement and incentives for sustainable forestry, the share of forested land is likely to continue shrinking in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Forest Area | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 53.05% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 53.54% | - | - |
| 2025 | 53.54% | −0.98% | #40 |
| 2023 | 54.52% | −0.49% | #40 |
| 2022 | 55.01% | −0.49% | #39 |
| 2021 | 55.50% | −0.49% | #38 |
| 2020 | 55.99% | −0.49% | #37 |
| 2019 | 56.48% | −0.49% | #36 |
| 2018 | 56.96% | −0.49% | #35 |
| 2017 | 57.45% | −0.49% | #32 |
| 2016 | 57.94% | −0.49% | #31 |
| 2015 | 58.43% | −0.51% | #31 |
| 2014 | 58.95% | −0.51% | #30 |
| 2013 | 59.46% | −0.51% | #30 |
| 2012 | 59.97% | −0.51% | #29 |
| 2011 | 60.49% | −0.51% | #29 |
| 2010 | 61.00% | −0.30% | #29 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Belize matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1990. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw forest area improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Belize's forest area was 53.54% in 2025. Ranked 40th globally. This represents a 1.8% decrease from the previous year.
Belize's forest area peaked at 70.15% in 1990.
The lowest forest area in Belize was 53.54% in 2025.
Belize ranks 40th globally in forest area as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is AG.LND.FRST.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Belize's forest area is projected to reach 53.54% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The forest area of Belize in 2025 was 53.54%. This ranks 40th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_belize_forest-area,
title = {Belize Forest Area},
url = {https://historysaid.com/belize/forest-area/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}