European Union Forest Area
Forest area as % of land area AG.LND.FRST.ZS
European Union's forest area was 40.06% in 2025, ranked 76th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
European Union's forest area stood at 40.06% in 2025, a rise of +0.13% from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 40.06% by 2025. European Union ranked 76th globally.
The European Union’s forest area has risen steadily over the 34‑year span from 1990 to 2025, expanding from 36.05 percent of its land in 1990 to a record 40.06 percent in 2025, the highest level recorded in the series and ranking it 76th globally. This upward trajectory mirrors modest gains observed in comparable jurisdictions such as Canada, whose forest share stands at 40.08 percent, and the Slovak Republic, also at 40.06 percent, suggesting that policy frameworks promoting afforestation and sustainable management are having a measurable impact across the region. The increase from the trough of 36.05 percent in 1990 to the peak of 40.06 percent in 2025 reflects a cumulative gain of 4.01 percentage points, driven by both natural regeneration and targeted planting programmes. Continued investment in forest restoration and climate‑resilient species could sustain this positive trend, while adverse policy shifts or severe climate events would likely reverse the progress.
Data & projection
| Year | Forest Area | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 40.06% | - | - |
| 2025 | 40.06% | +0.13% | #76 |
| 2022 | 39.93% | +0.05% | #76 |
| 2021 | 39.88% | +0.04% | #76 |
| 2020 | 39.84% | +0.05% | #77 |
| 2019 | 39.79% | +0.04% | #77 |
| 2018 | 39.75% | +0.04% | #77 |
| 2017 | 39.71% | +0.06% | #78 |
| 2016 | 39.64% | +0.05% | #78 |
| 2015 | 39.59% | +0.09% | #77 |
| 2014 | 39.51% | +0.07% | #77 |
| 2013 | 39.43% | +0.07% | #77 |
| 2012 | 39.36% | +0.08% | #77 |
| 2011 | 39.28% | +0.08% | #78 |
| 2010 | 39.20% | +0.11% | #78 |
| 2009 | 39.09% | +0.11% | #77 |
Analysis
European Union's forest area was 40.06% in 2025, a rise of +0.13% from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 40.06% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
European Union's forest area was 40.06% in 2025. Ranked 76th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from the previous year.
European Union's forest area peaked at 40.06% in 2025.
The lowest forest area in European Union was 36.05% in 1990.
European Union ranks 76th globally in forest area as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is AG.LND.FRST.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
European Union's forest area is projected to reach 40.06% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The forest area of European Union in 2025 was 40.06%. This ranks 76th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_european-union_forest-area,
title = {European Union Forest Area},
url = {https://historysaid.com/european-union/forest-area/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}