A comprehensive assessment of the world’s forests and how they are changing. Forests are at the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Understanding their status and how they change over time, therefore, is essential for designing and implementing sustainable policies, monitoring their impacts, and ensuring the long-term provision of forest goods and services.
Drawing on national reports prepared for FAO, the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025 provides a detailed analysis of forest extent and change; characteristics; biomass and carbon; policies and legislation; designation and management; ownership and management rights; disturbances; non-wood forest products; and more. It finds that, although the rate of deforestation is slowing, forests are still being lost at nearly 11 million hectares per year. The area of planted forests continues to expand, but at a slower rate than before. Legally protected forests now cover one-fifth of the total forest area, and more than half the world’s forests are under formal management plans.
This report is an essential resource for understanding long-term trends in forest resources and how they relate to global goals and targets, including those on biodiversity, climate and sustainable land use. With its transparent methodology and broad scope, the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025 is the only worldwide assessment based on official national data. It is, therefore, the most authoritative global source of data for policymakers, foresters, researchers and anyone else wanting to know the past, present and future of the world’s forests.
🌳 Learn more about the latest in forest restoration and explore GLF Forests 2025.
