Korea Forest Area
Forest area as % of land area AG.LND.FRST.ZS
Korea's forest area was 63.90% in 2025, ranked 22nd globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Korea's forest area stood at 63.90% in 2025, a decline of +0.20% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 63.90% by 2025. Korea ranked 22nd globally.
South Korea’s forest area has fallen from a high of 67.91 percent in 1990 to 63.90 percent in 2025, placing the country 22nd globally and marking a 4.01‑percentage‑point decline over 35 years. The reduction reflects rapid post‑war industrialisation, urban expansion and infrastructure development that converted forested land to other uses, a pattern shared by many rapidly developing economies. By contrast, the Republic of Congo, ranked just above South Korea at 64.04 percent, has maintained a relatively stable forest cover, while small island states such as Dominica (63.83 percent) and Fiji (64.23 percent) hover near the same level despite very different land‑use pressures. The persistent downward trajectory suggests that continued pressure from housing, transportation corridors and renewable‑energy projects could further erode forested areas unless policy interventions such as stricter land‑use zoning, reforestation incentives and ecosystem‑service payments are expanded.
Data & projection
| Year | Forest Area | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 63.80% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 63.90% | - | - |
| 2025 | 63.90% | −0.20% | #22 |
| 2023 | 64.11% | −0.10% | #21 |
| 2022 | 64.21% | −0.10% | #20 |
| 2021 | 64.31% | −0.10% | #20 |
| 2020 | 64.42% | −0.10% | #20 |
| 2019 | 64.52% | −0.16% | #20 |
| 2018 | 64.67% | −0.11% | #20 |
| 2017 | 64.78% | −0.10% | #20 |
| 2016 | 64.88% | −0.15% | #20 |
| 2015 | 65.03% | −0.11% | #20 |
| 2014 | 65.14% | −0.11% | #20 |
| 2013 | 65.25% | −0.18% | #20 |
| 2012 | 65.43% | −0.18% | #20 |
| 2011 | 65.61% | −0.10% | #20 |
| 2010 | 65.71% | −0.19% | #21 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Korea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2006. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw forest area improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Korea's forest area was 63.90% in 2025. Ranked 22nd globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from the previous year.
Korea's forest area peaked at 67.91% in 1990.
The lowest forest area in Korea was 63.90% in 2025.
Korea ranks 22nd globally in forest area as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is AG.LND.FRST.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Korea's forest area is projected to reach 63.90% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The forest area of Korea in 2025 was 63.90%. This ranks 22nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_korea_forest-area,
title = {Korea Forest Area},
url = {https://historysaid.com/korea/forest-area/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}