How many years of comparable data are there for France and United Kingdom?

13 years are reported by both, from 2013 to 2025.

Where does this data come from?

Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Share of marine territorial waters that are protected. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

France vs United Kingdom: Share of marine territorial waters that are protected

France

49.2%

in 2025

United Kingdom

46.8%

in 2025

France rank

7th

United Kingdom rank

8th

Share of marine territorial waters that are protected over time

France
United Kingdom

How they compare

France currently reports 49.2% against 46.8% in United Kingdom, a difference of 2.4%.

That makes France's figure about 1.1 times United Kingdom's.

Across all 13 years both countries report, France has been ahead every year.

France ranks 7th and United Kingdom ranks 8th of 174 countries.

France has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade	France	United Kingdom	Difference	Ahead
2010s	30.0%	20.5%	9.5%	France
2020s	49.8%	45.0%	4.8%	France

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher share of marine territorial waters that are protected, France or United Kingdom?: France, at 49.2% against 46.8% in United Kingdom as of 2025.
What is the difference in share of marine territorial waters that are protected between France and United Kingdom?: 2.4%, with France ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for France and United Kingdom?: 13 years are reported by both, from 2013 to 2025.
How do France and United Kingdom rank globally for share of marine territorial waters that are protected?: France ranks 7th and United Kingdom ranks 8th of 174 countries.
Where does this data come from?: Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Share of marine territorial waters that are protected. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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France vs United Kingdom: Share of marine territorial waters that are protected. Statizoid, drawing on Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Retrieved 23 September 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/compare/marine-protected-areas/france/united-kingdom/

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<a href="https://reference.statizoid.com/compare/marine-protected-areas/france/united-kingdom/">France vs United Kingdom: Share of marine territorial waters that are protected</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator: Share of marine territorial waters that are protected
Unit: % of territorial waters
Source: Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 174 places, 2,223 data points, 2013–2025
Last refreshed: 18 September 2026

Marine protected areas are regions of intertidal or sub-tidal land and associated water, flora and fauna, and cultural and historical features that have been legally or effectively reserved for protection.