Arable land (% of land area)



Countries By Arable land (% of land area)



Key points



Official Definition of Arable land (% of land area)

Arable land includes land defined by the FAO as land under temporary crops (double-cropped areas are counted once), temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow. Land abandoned as a result of shifting cultivation is excluded.



Importance

Arable land (% of land area) is a crucial macroeconomic statistic for a country as it directly impacts its agricultural potential and food security.

A low value of arable land percentage indicates limited land available for cultivation, which can lead to decreased agricultural production, food shortages, and increased dependence on food imports. This could result in vulnerability to price fluctuations in the global food market and expose the country to food insecurity risks.

Conversely, a high value of arable land percentage signifies a greater potential for agricultural productivity, self-sufficiency in food production, and even surplus for export. Countries with abundant arable land are better positioned to ensure food security for their population, support rural livelihoods, and contribute to economic growth through agricultural exports.



Top 10 Countries by Arable land (% of land area)

Bottom 10 Countries by Arable land (% of land area)



Regions

Europe

Arable land (% of land area) varies significantly among the selected countries. Ukraine leads with 56.82%, followed by Hungary at 44.12%, Moldova at 51.69%, and Denmark at 59.27%. These countries have a comparative advantage in agricultural production, ensuring food security and potentially boosting their economies. However, countries like Andorra with only 1.64% and Montenegro with 0.68% may face challenges in food self-sufficiency and agricultural development. For Iceland and Norway, their low arable land percentages could indicate reliance on imports for food. Overall, this statistic is crucial for assessing a country's agricultural potential, food security, and economic sustainability.

Far East: East Asia, SE Asia, Australia

Arable land (% of land area) illustrates the percentage of land suitable for farming activities in selected countries. Thailand stands out with 33.22%, indicating a strong agricultural base, advantageous for food security and export potential. Cambodia and Vietnam follow closely, benefiting from fertile lands for crop cultivation. However, countries like Brunei and Singapore have limited arable land, posing challenges for food production and self-sustainability. This statistic is crucial for economic development as it affects food production capabilities, trade balance, and overall agricultural industry growth in these nations, influencing their food security and economic stability.

ASEAN

Arable land (% of land area) varies among the selected countries; Thailand has the highest percentage at 33.22%, while Brunei and Singapore have the lowest at 0.76% and 0.78% respectively. Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines fall within the range of 18-23%, showing moderate arable land availability. This statistic indicates a country's potential for agriculture and food security. Thailand has a significant advantage in food production and exports, but it may face environmental challenges from intensive farming. In contrast, Brunei and Singapore may struggle with food self-sufficiency due to limited arable land. Overall, arable land percentage influences agricultural productivity, food security, and environmental sustainability in these countries.

Latin America

Arable land (% of land area) varies significantly among the selected countries. El Salvador has the highest percentage at 34.80%, followed by Cuba at 28.02% and the Dominican Republic at 18.45%. These countries have an advantage in agricultural productivity but may face challenges such as land degradation. On the other hand, Chile has the lowest arable land percentage at 1.76%, which may limit its agricultural output. This statistic is crucial for economic development as countries with higher arable land can boost food production, enhance food security, and potentially drive economic growth through agriculture, while those with lower percentages may need to focus on alternative economic sectors for development.

Middle East

The statistic on arable land (% of land area) for selected countries in the Middle East and North Africa region ranges from as low as 0.24% in Oman to as high as 25.45% in Turkey and Azerbaijan. Countries with lower percentages like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Libya face challenges in food security and agricultural self-sufficiency due to limited arable land availability. In contrast, countries with higher percentages like Turkey and Azerbaijan have an advantage in agricultural production and potential export capabilities, contributing positively to their economic development. However, the management of arable land is crucial for sustainable agriculture and environmental preservation in all countries.



Rivals

Anglosphere v BRICS

Australia, with 3.98% arable land, faces challenges in food production due to limited agricultural space while Brazil at 6.90% is better positioned for farming and food security. Canada at 4.26% and the U.S. at 17.24% have moderate to good arable land ratios enabling stable agricultural outputs. In contrast, India's high ratio of 51.94% signifies a strong agricultural base but strains on land sustainability. The United Kingdom, at 24.71%, and Russia at 7.43% exhibit varied capacities for agriculture. This statistic impacts development by influencing food security, trade balances, and environmental sustainability for each country.

Russia v Ukraine

The percentage of arable land in the Russian Federation stands at 7.43%, significantly lower than Ukraine's 56.82%. Ukraine's vast expanse of arable land provides a competitive advantage for agricultural production, potentially leading to greater food security and economic stability. However, overreliance on agriculture could render the country vulnerable to fluctuations in global crop prices. In contrast, Russia's lower arable land percentage poses challenges for domestic food production but opens avenues for diversification into other sectors, such as natural resources extraction. Balancing agriculture with industrial development will be crucial for Russia's economic resilience and growth.

France v United Kingdom

France has a higher percentage of arable land at 32.79% compared to the United Kingdom's 24.71%. This indicates that a larger portion of France's land area is suitable for agriculture and food production. The advantage for France is its potential for increased agricultural output and food security. However, overreliance on arable land can lead to environmental degradation and soil depletion. On the other hand, the United Kingdom may face challenges in meeting food demand with less arable land but can focus on sustainable agricultural practices. The level of arable land directly impacts agricultural productivity, food self-sufficiency, and environmental sustainability for both countries.

Israel v Iran

Iran has a relatively low arable land percentage of 9.65%, indicating limited land availability for agriculture. In contrast, Israel boasts a higher percentage at 17.56%, suggesting greater agricultural capacity. Iran faces the disadvantage of restricted agricultural productivity due to its low arable land, potentially leading to food security challenges. However, this limitation may drive innovation in agricultural practices. Israel, with its higher arable land percentage, enjoys the advantage of increased food production potential but may face sustainability issues from intensive farming. This statistic influences both countries' development by shaping agricultural policies, trade dynamics, and food security strategies, highlighting the critical role of land resources in economic growth and sustainability.

Saudi Arabia v Iran

Iran has a significantly higher percentage of arable land compared to Saudi Arabia, with 9.65% of its land area being classified as such, indicating a greater capacity for agricultural production. This gives Iran an advantage in food security and economic sustainability, as it can support more agriculture-related activities. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia only has 1.59% of arable land, presenting a challenge in terms of food production self-sufficiency and agricultural development. This could lead the country to rely more on imports to meet its food needs, making it vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and price fluctuations in the global market. Ultimately, the extent of arable land plays a crucial role in shaping the agricultural sector of these countries, influencing their economic resilience and development strategies.

India v Pakistan

India has a higher percentage of arable land at 51.95% compared to Pakistan's 40.12%. This indicates that India has more land suitable for cultivation and agriculture, potentially leading to higher agricultural output and food security. However, it also suggests a higher dependency on agriculture, which can be a disadvantage during times of poor harvests or fluctuating market prices. For Pakistan, although it has a slightly lower percentage of arable land, it may have more diversified economic sectors, providing greater resilience against agricultural shocks. The impact of this statistic on both countries' development lies in their ability to utilize their arable land efficiently for sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring food security and economic stability.

Turkey v Greece

Arable land (% of land area) is a crucial macroeconomic indicator for agricultural sustainability and self-sufficiency. Greece has 16.54% and Turkey has 25.45% of arable land. Turkey has a comparative advantage in agriculture due to its larger arable land percentage, allowing for more diversified and extensive agricultural production compared to Greece. However, Greece's smaller arable land area can lead to more sustainable farming practices and higher crop yields per unit of land. For Greece, this statistic may indicate a focus on high-value crops and efficient land use, while for Turkey, it may signify a greater capacity for food production and potential export growth in the agricultural sector.

China v Japan

China, People's Republic of, has 11.61% of its land area classified as arable land, while Japan has 11.26%. This indicates that both countries have a similar proportion of land suitable for agriculture. However, China's larger landmass may provide it with more opportunities for agricultural development compared to Japan. In contrast, Japan's limited arable land may lead to challenges in achieving food self-sufficiency. The level of arable land directly impacts food security, agricultural productivity, and economic growth in both countries, with China potentially having more room for expansion in the agricultural sector compared to Japan.



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