French Polynesia Forest Area

French Polynesia’s forest area has risen steadily over the 35‑year series, climbing from 39.46 in 1990 to a record 43.06 in 2023, the same figure reported for 2025 and placing the territory 65th globally. This 3.60‑point increase reflects a modest but consistent expansion of forest cover, outpacing the modest declines observed in many small island economies and aligning more closely with the forest extents of peers such as Bosnia and Herzegovina (42.73) and Trinidad and Tobago (44.07). The upward trajectory contrasts with the all‑time trough recorded in 1990, suggesting effective reforestation or natural regrowth policies during the intervening decades. While the absolute magnitude remains limited relative to larger nations, the persistence of growth indicates resilience against pressures such as land‑use change. Continued investment in sustainable forest management and protection of existing woodlands will be essential to maintain this positive trend and potentially lift French Polynesia’s ranking in the coming years.