Proportion of Degraded Land Over Total Land Area (%)

Land degradation, a key environmental issue, significantly impacts agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and food security. This dataset ranks countries based on the proportion of degraded land relative to their total land area, highlighting regions facing severe challenges and those maintaining better land management practices.

Which countries have the highest proportion of degraded land?

Tajikistan leads the rankings with 97% of its land area classified as degraded, followed by South Africa (78%) and Bangladesh (65%). These high percentages reflect significant challenges in sustainable land management and the need for targeted restoration efforts.

Top 10 countries most affected by land degradation

The countries with the highest proportion of degraded land are:

1. Tajikistan – 97%
2. South Africa – 78%
3. Bangladesh – 65%
4. Kuwait – 64%
5. Benin – 53%
6. Paraguay – 52%
7. Botswana – 51%
8. Mexico – 47%
9. Mozambique – 42%
10. Nepal – 41%

These nations face severe land degradation challenges due to factors like deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable agricultural practices.

Which countries have lower levels of land degradation?

Countries with minimal land degradation, such as United Arab Emirates, Norway, and Sweden, have only 1% of their land classified as degraded. Effective land management, favorable climatic conditions, and low population pressure contribute to their resilience.

Why is land degradation a critical issue?

Land degradation reduces agricultural productivity, threatens food security, and contributes to biodiversity loss and desertification. It directly impacts rural livelihoods and exacerbates poverty, particularly in developing nations reliant on agriculture.

How does land degradation impact food security?

Degraded land reduces the availability of arable land for crop production, leading to lower yields and increased reliance on food imports. This exacerbates food insecurity in vulnerable regions, driving up food costs and undermining agricultural sustainability.

What are the causes of land degradation?

Common causes of land degradation include deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, urbanization, and the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Climate change further intensifies these effects, leading to more rapid degradation in fragile ecosystems.

What strategies can mitigate land degradation?

Strategies to combat land degradation include reforestation, sustainable agricultural practices, soil conservation techniques, and land rehabilitation projects. International cooperation and policies promoting sustainable land use are crucial for reversing degradation trends.

What global trends are evident in land degradation?

High land degradation is concentrated in regions with arid climates, high population densities, and reliance on agriculture, such as parts of Asia and Africa. Conversely, countries with advanced land management systems, like those in Northern Europe and the Americas, exhibit lower degradation levels, highlighting disparities in resource use and environmental governance.