In this piece, we will take a look at the five least forested countries in Europe. If you want to take a deeper look at the current state of the world’s forests as well as the logging industry, then head on over to 25 Least Forested Countries in Europe.
5. Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Forest Cover in (‘000) Hectares: 89
Luxembourg is one of the most developed countries in the world. It has one of the highest GDP per capita on the planet, through its $86.8 billion economy that lends the small population a GDP per capita of $131,503. Luxembourg’s economy is dominated by the services sector, with the financial segment playing a particularly strong role. Forests in Luxembourg are located primarily in the Southern half of the country.
4. Iceland
Forest Cover in (‘000) Hectares: 51
Iceland is the smallest Nordic European country in terms of its landmass and its economy. It is also one of the least densely populated countries in Europe, with roughly four people living per square kilometer. Iceland has a $27.7 billion economy and a GDP per capita of $73,981. The country scores high in human development and income equality. Like Ireland, Iceland has also lost most of its forests due to industrial and agricultural activities, as part of a process that has taken place over hundreds of years. Subsequently, Iceland heavily encourages reforestation.
3. Andorra
Forest Cover in (‘000) Hectares: 16
Andorra is one of the smallest countries in the world since it covers an area of just 462 square kilometers. Naturally, this also means that it has some of the lowest levels of forest cover in Europe. Andorra’s 16,000 hectares of forests belong primarily to the Pyrenees forest family which is made up of oak, fir, and pine trees. The kinds of trees in these forests depend on the forest’s elevation, and these regions are also inhabited by bears, deer, and wolves.
2. Principality of Liechtenstein
Forest Cover in (‘000) Hectares: 7
Liechtenstein is another small country as part of a collection of countries that are dubbed micro states. This is because it covers an area of just 160 square kilometers. However, even though it covers less than half the area of Andorra, Liechtenstein has a greater percentage of land covered by forests. Liechtenstein’s small area also helps it when it comes to economic indicators. This is because its small population of 38,387 lends it a GDP per capita of $180,000 courtesy of its $6.8 billion economy.
1. Republic of San Marino
Forest Cover in (‘000) Hectares: 1
San Marino is a micro state with an area of 61 square kilometers. It has high levels of human development, a $1.8 billion economy, and a GDP per capita of $52,949. It has vibrant banking and manufacturing industries, and when it comes to forests, San Marino houses trees that are part of the Italian forest family These forests include oaks that have adapted to long periods of heat, thousands of plant species, and some types of fir trees too.
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