By Abdallah el-Kurebe I August 21, 2025: A newly released FAOSTAT analytical brief unveils striking transformations in global land use over the past two decades, capturing both the resurgence of cropland and the retreat of permanent pastures. The findings underscore the relentless intensification of agriculture—and the environmental consequences that come with it.
Key takeaways
Cropland expansion vs. pasture decline
Between 2001 and 2023, the world saw a significant shift in agricultural land allocation. Cropland expanded by approximately 78 million hectares, while permanent meadows and pastures shrank by 150 million hectares, resulting in an overall 2% contraction of total agricultural land.
Global land-use snapshot (2023)
Agricultural land comprised 4,800 million hectares, which is more than one-third of Earth’s land surface. Within that, cropland covered around 1,600 million hectares, with 3,200 million hectares dedicated to permanent meadows and pastures. In comparison, forests accounted for 4,050 million hectares, and “other land” types—such as deserts, glaciers, urban areas, and barren landscapes—made up 4,150 million hectares .
Regional cropland dynamics
Cropland growth was especially notable in:
Africa: +75 million ha
South America: +25 million ha
Southeastern Asia: +20 million ha
These gains were partly offset by declines in:
Northern America: −25 million ha
Eastern Europe: −7 million ha
Southern Europe: −6 million ha .
Productivity gains amid per-capita land loss
Although cropland per person dropped around 20%, from about 0.24 to 0.19 hectares, agricultural productivity surged. The gross value of agricultural production per hectare jumped more than 60%, growing from roughly USD 550 to nearly USD 900 .
Expert commentary
FAO statisticians say the trends reflect a dual pressure: expanding demand for agricultural commodities and the need to produce more from less space. The drop in per-capita cropland highlights the challenge of feeding a growing global population with shrinking per-person land resources. Meanwhile, the productivity leap signals successful agricultural intensification—greater yields per hectare—but raises concerns over ecosystem degradation and long-term sustainability.
Environmental trade-offs
The reduction of permanent meadows and pastures—often vital for biodiversity, carbon storage, and local livelihoods—suggests trade-offs that could harm soil health, water regulation, and rangeland ecosystems. Simultaneously, the conversion of these lands into cropland may exacerbate habitat loss, biodiversity decline, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with land-use change.
What lies ahead
Sustainable intensification
Meeting growing food demands sustainably will require innovation—such as climate-smart farming, agroecological practices, and land-restoration initiatives—without compromising ecosystem services.
Regional strategies matter
FAO data point to Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia as hotspots of land conversion. These regions could benefit most from sustainable land-use planning and preservation of pasture ecosystems.
Balancing productivity with nature
Maintaining rising productivity while curbing ecological decline will require integrated policies that value both food security and environmental resilience.
At a glance
Indicator value (2023) Change Since 2001
Total agricultural land 4,800 million ha ↓ 2 % overall
Cropland 1,600 million ha ↑ ~78 million ha
Permanent meadows & pastures 3,200 million ha ↓ ~150 million ha
Cropland per capita ~0.19 ha/person ↓ ~20 %
Value of production per ha ~USD 900/ha ↑ >60 %
As the world navigates the complexities of land use, food security, and environmental preservation, FAO’s latest data render clear: what gets measured gets managed. Turning these numbers into smart policy and sustainable action is the crucial next step.
