Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Russia Leads Global Forest Rankings; India Ranks Ninth
Russia has more forest than any other country in the ranking.
It has about 833 million hectares of forest.
Brazil is second, while Canada, the United States and China follow.
India is ninth, with about 73 million hectares.
The 15 countries listed together contain nearly three-quarters of the world’s forests.
Eight of these countries are in the Americas.
Forests do more than provide wood because they store carbon and help protect plants and animals.
They also filter water and support rivers and reservoirs.
Russia ranks first with 833 million hectares of forest, about 20.1% of the global total.
Brazil ranks second with 486 million hectares, followed by Canada, the United States and China.
India ranks ninth with approximately 73 million hectares, or 1.8% of the world’s forest area.
The 15 listed countries contain nearly three-quarters of the world’s forests, with eight located in the Americas.
Forests store carbon, support biodiversity, filter water and generate about 46% of surface water supply in the contiguous United States.
- Who
- The 15 countries with the largest forest areas, including Russia, Brazil, Canada, the United States, China and India.
- What
- A ranking of countries by total forest area.
- Where
- Countries worldwide, with eight of the 15 ranked nations located in the Americas.
- Why
- To show where the world’s largest forest areas are located and highlight forests’ roles in carbon storage, biodiversity and water supply.
- Top-ranked country
- Russia
- Russia’s forest area
- 833 million hectares, or 20.1% of the global total
- India’s rank
- Ninth
- India’s forest area
- Approximately 73 million hectares, or 1.8% of the global total
- Second-ranked country
- Brazil, with 486 million hectares
- Countries in the ranking
- The 15 listed countries account for nearly three-quarters of the world’s forests
- Water contribution
- Forests generate around 46% of the surface water supply in the contiguous United States