Terrestrial protected areas in United States
United States: Terrestrial protected areas was 12.9 in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
12.9
Change on year
unchanged
World rank
141st
of 213 countries
All-time high
13.6
in 2013
All-time low
11.8
in 2020
Years of data
13
2013–2025
Terrestrial protected areas in United States, 2013–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for terrestrial protected areas in United States is 12.9, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 1.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, terrestrial protected areas in United States peaked at 13.6 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 11.8, in 2020.
United States ranks 141st of 213 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Terrestrial protected areas in United States, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 13.6 | — |
| 2014 | 13.1 | -3.7% |
| 2015 | 13.1 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 13 | -0.8% |
| 2017 | 13.5 | +3.8% |
| 2018 | 13 | -3.7% |
| 2019 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 11.8 | -9.2% |
| 2021 | 13 | +10.2% |
| 2022 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 12.9 | -0.8% |
| 2024 | 12.9 | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 12.9 | +0.0% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 12.9 is below the median for high income countries, which is 21.5, 60% of the median. (83 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 13.19 | 13 | 13.6 | 7 |
| 2020s | 12.75 | 11.8 | 13 | 6 |
Countries ranked near United States
- 139 Egypt 13.1 compare
- 140 Lebanon 13 compare
- 141 Canada 12.9 compare
- 143 Madagascar 12.8 compare
- 144 Sierra Leone 12.6 compare
More reference data data for United States
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 19.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 24.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 20.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 64.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 52.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 133.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 589.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 112.69 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is terrestrial protected areas in United States?
- Terrestrial protected areas in United States was 12.9 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest terrestrial protected areas recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 13.6 in 2013.
- What is the lowest terrestrial protected areas recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 11.8 in 2020.
- How does United States rank for terrestrial protected areas?
- United States ranks 141st out of 213 countries with data for 2025.
- Is terrestrial protected areas rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Terrestrial protected areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 13 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).