South Africa biodiversity statistics
Protected areas, forests, species for South Africa: the key indicators with the latest year available, the world ranking and the world value.
| Indicator | South Africa | Year | World rank | World |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protected areas, % of territory | 12.9% | 2025 | #99 of 209 | 17.0% |
| Forest cover, % of land | 18.8% | 2024 | #132 of 209 | 31.1% |
| Marine protected areas | 15.4% | 2025 | #39 of 170 | 17.5% |
Biodiversity: world rankings · South Africa population
Biodiversity in nearby countries: Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, DR Congo, Tanzania