Forest distribution varies significantly across continents due to factors such as climate, historical land use, and conservation policies. The following table shows the forest cover by continent, including the total forest area and the percentage of land covered by forests. Let’s read.
Forest Cover By Continent
| Rank by forest area | Continent | Forest cover area (1000 ha) | Forest cover area percentage of land area | Forest area percentage of world forest area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Europe (including entire Russia) | 1038911 | 47% | 25% |
| 2 | South America | 848587 | 49% | 20% |
| 3 | North and Central America | 776162 | 37% | 19% |
| 4 | Africa | 662630 | 22% | 16% |
| 5 | Asia | 630029 | 20% | 15% |
| 6 | Oceania | 183898 | 22% | 4% |
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025
Most Forested Country (By Forest Area) In Each Continent
| Europe | Russia |
| South America | South America |
| North and Central America | Canada |
| Africa | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Asia | China |
| Oceania | Australia |
(Also read: Top 10 Most Forested Countries in the World)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which continent has the largest forest area?
According to the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment, Europe has the largest forest area of any continent. This is because the FAO’s regional classification includes the entire Russian Federation in Europe. If Russia were geographically divided between Europe and Asia, Asia would have the largest forest area.
Which continent has the highest percentage of forest cover?
South America has the highest percentage of forest cover of any continent, with forests covering approximately 49% of its total land area. This high proportion is largely because of the Amazon Rainforest, which spans several countries in South America.
Is global forest cover increasing or decreasing?
Global forest area is decreasing overall, although the rate of net forest loss has slowed significantly.
Read more