Mapped: The Four Major Types of Forests Around the World
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Key Takeaways
- The tropics are home to the biggest share of the world’s forests, at 45% of the total.
- After the tropics, the world’s forests are mostly found in boreal, temperate, and subtropical zones.
Forests cover nearly one-third of the world’s land area, playing a vital role in storing carbon, supporting biodiversity, and regulating the planet’s climate.
In this graphic, we visualize data from the UN FAO’s 2025 Forest Resources Assessment to map out the four major types of forests: tropical, subtropical, temperate, and boreal.
Tropical Forests Lead All Other Types
Tropical forests represent the largest share of global forest cover, at about 45%. These ecosystems thrive near the equator, in regions like the Amazon Basin, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia.
These are biodiversity hotspots, supporting millions of plant and animal species while also storing massive amounts of carbon.
| Type | Share | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tropics | 45% | Lush, biodiverse forests near the equator with warm temperatures and abundant year-round rainfall. |
| Boreal | 27% | Cold northern coniferous forests with long winters, short summers, and low biodiversity. |
| Temperate | 16% | Forests with four distinct seasons, moderate climates, and a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees. |
| Subtropical | 11% | Warm, humid forests between tropics and temperate zones, with mixed vegetation and seasonal rainfall. |
Despite their ecological importance, tropical forests are under heavy pressure from deforestation, agriculture, and mining. For example, Brazil has lost 2.9 million acres of its tropical forests since 2015, an area equal to the size of Rwanda.
How the World’s Forests Are Used
UN FAO data shows that 29% of forests are primarily used for production, referring to logging and other commercial activities. However, around 36% of global forests are designated for environmental or multiple-use purposes, including biodiversity conservation and water protection.
| Objective | Share of total |
|---|---|
 Production |
29 |
 Protection of soil & water |
9 |
 Conservation of biodiversity |
12 |
 Social services |
5 |
 Multiple use |
15 |
 Other |
7 |
 No designation |
4 |
 Unknown |
18 |
Interestingly, nearly one in five forests fall into the “unknown” category, underscoring gaps in global forest monitoring and classification.
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