Discover the world’s protected areas

Protected Planet is the most up to date and complete source of data on protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), updated monthly with submissions from governments, non-governmental organizations, landowners and communities.

Explore Protected Areas and OECMs

Global coverage of protected areas and OECMs

15.8%

267,085: Protected Areas

Terrestrial and inland waters protected area coverage

8.16%

18,444: Protected Areas

Marine protected area coverage

16.98%

267,085: Protected Areas

634: OECMs

Terrestrial and inland waters protected area & OECM coverage

8.26%

18,444: Protected Areas

195: OECMs

Marine protected area & OECM coverage

Statistics updated: Feb 2023 Download latest global statistics

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Regional level

Country level

Individual Area

Marine Protected Areas and OECMs

Terrestrial and Inland Waters Protected Areas and OECMs

Green Listed Protected Areas and OECMs

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Thematic Areas

284,245 Protected Areas

Protected Areas (WDPA)

The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is the most comprehensive global database on terrestrial and marine protected areas.

19,969 Protected Areas

Management Effectiveness (PAME)

Comprising many thousands of assessments of how well a protected area is being managed – primarily the extent to which it is protecting values and achieving goals and objectives.

820 OECMs

Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (WDOECM)

OECMs complement protected areas through sustained, positive conservation outcomes, even though they may be managed primarily for other reasons. They are documented in the World Database on OECMs.

Territories and areas conserved by indigenous peoples and local communities (ICCAs)

The ICCA Registry website is an online information platform for territories and areas conserved by indigenous peoples and local communities (ICCAs), where communities themselves provide data, case studies, maps, photos and stories.

128 Protected Areas

The IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas

The IUCN Green List is a new global standard for protected areas. The list recognises success in achieving conservation outcomes and measures progress in effective management of protected areas.

Connectivity

Beyond protected and conserved areas what is the contribution of ecological corridors to achieving global conservation goals?

Equitable Governance

Equity relates to how fairly a protected area is governed: who has a say in decisions, how decisions are taken, and how the costs and benefits are shared.

18,397 Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas

Over 70% of the surface of Earth is ocean, comprised of highly diverse ecosystems, and providing a wide range of marine ecosystem services that support human society, health and the economy. This website presents the most recent official coverage statistics for marine protected areas.

An API to access the worlds' protected areas

If you know you need an API to access the World's protected areas, or want to find our more information, please view the API page.