Papua New Guinea Forest Area
Forest area as % of land area AG.LND.FRST.ZS
Papua New Guinea's forest area was 78.81% in 2025, ranked 9th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Papua New Guinea's forest area stood at 78.81% in 2025, a decline of +0.15% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 78.81% by 2025. Papua New Guinea ranked 9th globally.
Papua New Guinea's forest area has exhibited a relatively stable trend over the past three and a half decades, with the country's largest forest coverage recorded in 1990 at 80.38. This peak value contrasts with the current forest area of 78.81, representing a modest decline of 1.57 percentage points. Compared to peer countries, Papua New Guinea's forest coverage ranks ninth globally, behind Guyana's 83.20 and ahead of Liberia's 77.51. Notably, the country's forest area has been gradually decreasing since its peak in 1990, with no significant deviations from this downward trend. This decline may be attributed to various factors, including deforestation and land conversion for agricultural and urban purposes. To reverse this trend and potentially stabilize Papua New Guinea's forest area, the government would need to implement effective conservation and sustainable land-use policies, such as reforestation initiatives and stricter regulations on logging and land development.
Data & projection
| Year | Forest Area | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 78.73% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 78.81% | - | - |
| 2025 | 78.81% | −0.15% | #9 |
| 2023 | 78.95% | −0.07% | #9 |
| 2022 | 79.03% | −0.07% | #9 |
| 2021 | 79.10% | −0.07% | #9 |
| 2020 | 79.18% | −0.07% | #9 |
| 2019 | 79.25% | −0.07% | #10 |
| 2018 | 79.32% | −0.07% | #10 |
| 2017 | 79.40% | −0.07% | #10 |
| 2016 | 79.47% | −0.08% | #10 |
| 2015 | 79.55% | −0.07% | #10 |
| 2014 | 79.62% | −0.07% | #10 |
| 2013 | 79.69% | −0.07% | #10 |
| 2012 | 79.75% | −0.07% | #10 |
| 2011 | 79.82% | −0.07% | #10 |
| 2010 | 79.89% | −0.02% | #10 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Papua New Guinea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw forest area improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Papua New Guinea's forest area was 78.81% in 2025. Ranked 9th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from the previous year.
Papua New Guinea's forest area peaked at 80.38% in 1990.
The lowest forest area in Papua New Guinea was 78.81% in 2025.
Papua New Guinea ranks 9th globally in forest area as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is AG.LND.FRST.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Papua New Guinea's forest area is projected to reach 78.81% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The forest area of Papua New Guinea in 2025 was 78.81%. This ranks 9th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_papua-new-guinea_forest-area,
title = {Papua New Guinea Forest Area},
url = {https://historysaid.com/papua-new-guinea/forest-area/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}