Mozambique Forest Area
Forest area as % of land area AG.LND.FRST.ZS
Mozambique's forest area was 45.22% in 2025, ranked 61st globally. This represents a 1.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Mozambique's forest area stood at 45.22% in 2025, a decline of +0.60% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 45.22% by 2025. Mozambique ranked 61st globally.
Mozambique’s forest area has contracted from 55.16 percent of its land in 1990, the all‑time peak, to 45.22 percent in 2025, the lowest level recorded over the 35‑year series and ranking it 61st globally. This 9.94‑percentage‑point decline reflects persistent pressures from agricultural expansion, charcoal production and infrastructure development, which have outpaced reforestation efforts. The most recent figure places Mozambique marginally below the Dominican Republic’s 45.32 percent and New Caledonia’s 45.82 percent, while remaining slightly above Zimbabwe’s 44.50 percent, underscoring a regional pattern of forest loss in sub‑Saharan Africa and island economies. The downward trajectory, evident since the early 1990s, suggests that without intensified conservation policies, sustainable land‑use planning and investment in community‑based forest management, Mozambique’s forest cover is likely to continue shrinking, potentially pushing it further down the global ranking in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Forest Area | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 44.92% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 45.22% | - | - |
| 2025 | 45.22% | −0.60% | #61 |
| 2023 | 45.81% | −0.31% | #60 |
| 2022 | 46.12% | −0.29% | #59 |
| 2021 | 46.41% | −0.31% | #59 |
| 2020 | 46.73% | −0.28% | #58 |
| 2019 | 47.01% | −0.33% | #58 |
| 2018 | 47.34% | −0.23% | #57 |
| 2017 | 47.57% | −0.28% | #57 |
| 2016 | 47.85% | −0.40% | #57 |
| 2015 | 48.25% | −0.26% | #56 |
| 2014 | 48.51% | −0.26% | #56 |
| 2013 | 48.77% | −0.26% | #56 |
| 2012 | 49.03% | −0.26% | #56 |
| 2011 | 49.30% | −0.26% | #56 |
| 2010 | 49.56% | −0.28% | #56 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Mozambique matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2017. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw forest area improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Mozambique's forest area was 45.22% in 2025. Ranked 61st globally. This represents a 1.3% decrease from the previous year.
Mozambique's forest area peaked at 55.16% in 1990.
The lowest forest area in Mozambique was 45.22% in 2025.
Mozambique ranks 61st globally in forest area as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is AG.LND.FRST.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Mozambique's forest area is projected to reach 45.22% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The forest area of Mozambique in 2025 was 45.22%. This ranks 61st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_mozambique_forest-area,
title = {Mozambique Forest Area},
url = {https://historysaid.com/mozambique/forest-area/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}