Malaysia Forest Area
Forest area as % of land area AG.LND.FRST.ZS
Malaysia's forest area was 57.41% in 2025, ranked 31st globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Malaysia's forest area stood at 57.41% in 2025, a decline of +0.31% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 57.41% by 2025. Malaysia ranked 31st globally.
Malaysia’s forest area has contracted from its all‑time peak of 62.76 percent of land in 1990 to a trough of 57.41 percent in 2025, placing the country 31st globally according to the World Bank. Over the 35‑year span the decline averages roughly 0.15 percentage points per year, reflecting persistent pressures from timber extraction, agricultural expansion and infrastructure development. The 2025 figure is comparable to that of Samoa (57.29 percent) and slightly below Estonia (57.08 percent), yet remains higher than Brazil’s 58.69 percent, underscoring Malaysia’s relative standing among both tropical and temperate forest nations. The downward trajectory aligns with regional trends in Southeast Asia where forest loss has accelerated since the early 2000s, despite occasional reforestation initiatives. Continued policy emphasis on sustainable land‑use planning and enforcement of logging regulations will be crucial if Malaysia is to stabilise or reverse the current loss and improve its forest‑cover outlook.
Data & projection
| Year | Forest Area | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 57.26% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 57.41% | - | - |
| 2025 | 57.41% | −0.31% | #31 |
| 2023 | 57.72% | −0.15% | #31 |
| 2022 | 57.87% | −0.15% | #30 |
| 2021 | 58.02% | −0.15% | #30 |
| 2020 | 58.18% | −0.15% | #30 |
| 2019 | 58.33% | −0.15% | #30 |
| 2018 | 58.48% | −0.15% | #31 |
| 2017 | 58.63% | −0.15% | #30 |
| 2016 | 58.79% | −0.46% | #29 |
| 2015 | 59.24% | +0.31% | #30 |
| 2014 | 58.93% | +0.31% | #31 |
| 2013 | 58.61% | +0.31% | #32 |
| 2012 | 58.30% | +0.31% | #35 |
| 2011 | 57.98% | +0.31% | #37 |
| 2010 | 57.67% | −0.23% | #39 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malaysia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw forest area improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malaysia's forest area was 57.41% in 2025. Ranked 31st globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from the previous year.
Malaysia's forest area peaked at 62.76% in 1990.
The lowest forest area in Malaysia was 57.41% in 2025.
Malaysia ranks 31st globally in forest area as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is AG.LND.FRST.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Malaysia's forest area is projected to reach 57.41% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The forest area of Malaysia in 2025 was 57.41%. This ranks 31st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malaysia_forest-area,
title = {Malaysia Forest Area},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malaysia/forest-area/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}