Global forest cover exceeds 4 billion hectares, accounting for roughly one-third of Earth's land area.

 

Global forest cover exceeds 4 billion hectares, accounting for roughly one-third of Earth's land area. More than half of these forests are concentrated in five countries: Russia, Brazil, Canada, the United States and China. Russia holds the largest share through its vast boreal forests, while Brazil's Amazon rainforest represents the world's largest tropical forest system. Canada, the United States and China also possess extensive forest resources, with China expanding its forest cover through large-scale afforestation programs.

Forests play a vital role in supporting biodiversity, regulating water cycles, stabilizing soils and storing carbon. While some countries have increased forest cover through restoration efforts, others continue to face deforestation driven by agriculture, logging and wildfires. Because forests absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide and provide essential ecological services, their sustainable management remains critical for climate resilience, environmental health and the well-being of communities that depend on them.