Tanzania Forest Area
Forest area as % of land area AG.LND.FRST.ZS
Tanzania's forest area was 49.00% in 2025, ranked 54th globally. This represents a 2.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Tanzania's forest area stood at 49.00% in 2025, a decline of +1.06% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 49.00% by 2025. Tanzania ranked 54th globally.
Tanzania’s forest area has contracted markedly over the past 35 years, falling from an all‑time peak of 64.79 percent in 1990 to a trough of 49.00 percent in 2025, placing the country 54th globally. This 15.79‑percentage‑point decline reflects persistent pressures from agricultural expansion, logging and infrastructure development, which have outpaced reforestation efforts. The 2025 figure of 49.00 percent is virtually identical to that of Ecuador (49.03 percent) and only slightly below Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of (49.20 percent), underscoring Tanzania’s position among middle‑ranking nations in forest cover. While the downward trajectory mirrors regional trends in sub‑Saharan Africa, the rate of loss suggests that without intensified conservation policies, protected‑area expansion and sustainable land‑use planning, Tanzania’s forest share is likely to continue shrinking in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Forest Area | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 48.47% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 49.00% | - | - |
| 2025 | 49.00% | −1.06% | #54 |
| 2023 | 50.05% | −0.53% | #51 |
| 2022 | 50.58% | −0.53% | #51 |
| 2021 | 51.11% | −0.53% | #50 |
| 2020 | 51.64% | −0.53% | #50 |
| 2019 | 52.17% | −0.53% | #48 |
| 2018 | 52.70% | −0.53% | #47 |
| 2017 | 53.23% | −0.53% | #45 |
| 2016 | 53.76% | −0.53% | #44 |
| 2015 | 54.29% | −0.42% | #44 |
| 2014 | 54.71% | −0.42% | #42 |
| 2013 | 55.13% | −0.42% | #41 |
| 2012 | 55.55% | −0.42% | #42 |
| 2011 | 55.97% | −0.42% | #41 |
| 2010 | 56.39% | −0.42% | #40 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Tanzania matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw forest area improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Tanzania's forest area was 49.00% in 2025. Ranked 54th globally. This represents a 2.1% decrease from the previous year.
Tanzania's forest area peaked at 64.79% in 1990.
The lowest forest area in Tanzania was 49.00% in 2025.
Tanzania ranks 54th globally in forest area as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is AG.LND.FRST.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Tanzania's forest area is projected to reach 49.00% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The forest area of Tanzania in 2025 was 49.00%. This ranks 54th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_tanzania_forest-area,
title = {Tanzania Forest Area},
url = {https://historysaid.com/tanzania/forest-area/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}