Countries by Forest Cover as Percentage of Land Area 2024

About This Dataset

Countries ranked by the proportion of their total land area covered by forest in 2024 according to FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment data. Suriname is the world's most heavily forested country by percentage, with approximately 93% of its land area covered by tropical rainforest — a vast expanse of largely untouched Amazonian and Guiana Shield forest maintained in part by a small population of under 600,000 people concentrated along the northern coastal strip.

✨ AI Insight

Suriname's forest cover stands out at 93%, primarily due to its vast tropical rainforests and low population density, which allows for minimal deforestation. The Federated States of Micronesia and Gabon also demonstrate high percentages, at 91.9% and 90% respectively, indicating strong environmental policies and conservation efforts. In contrast, countries like Finland and Sweden, with 73% and 68% forest cover, reflect a different balance between urban development and forest conservation. The data suggests that while tropical nations lead in forest cover, temperate countries are also managing to maintain substantial forest areas, albeit with a greater emphasis on sustainable management practices. This trend highlights the global challenge of balancing development with environmental stewardship.

Source: Wikipedia

Key Findings

Auto-computed highlights from this dataset

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Suriname leads with 93 in 2024.

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Average value in 2024: 82 · median: 87.

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Gap in 2024: Suriname is 1.4× larger than Japan.