A recent UN-backed report highlights the urgent need for stronger political commitment and inclusive policies around land rights, particularly in the context of climate change, biodiversity protection, gender equality, and rural transformation. While over the past two decades more than 70 countries have undertaken land reforms and adopted national and international frameworks for responsible regulation of land, fisheries, and forests, progress remains slow. Currently, only 35 percent of the world’s land has formally documented ownership, tenure, or use rights, leaving millions vulnerable to land insecurity.
The report reveals that more than 1.1 billion people feel “land-insecure,” fearing they could lose their homes or property in the coming years. According to Maximo Torero Cullen, FAO Chief Economist, insecure land tenure contributes to inequality, lower productivity, weaker resilience, and poorer nutrition, while secure land rights enable sustainable investment and long-term food security.
Globally, States hold legal ownership of over 64 percent of land, much of it customary land with designated tenure rights but lacking formal documentation. Just over a quarter of land is privately owned by individuals, companies, or collectives, while roughly 10 percent remains of unknown tenure. Among agricultural land, which accounts for around 37 percent of global land area, the top 10 percent of landholders control nearly 90 percent of cultivated land, highlighting significant inequality in land distribution.
Land tenure systems vary widely across regions. In sub-Saharan Africa, 73 percent of land is under customary tenure, yet only one percent is formally recognized, with much of the rest held by the State. In North America, 32 percent of land is privately owned, 39 percent in Latin America, and 55 percent in Europe (excluding Russia, where State land dominates). Indigenous Peoples and women are particularly affected by insecure tenure. Although Indigenous communities occupy 5.5 billion hectares, only a billion hectares have documented ownership, and women are consistently less likely than men to hold formal land rights.
Customary lands, stewarded by Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists, and tribal groups, include forests, grasslands, wetlands, and fisheries. These lands, once considered relics of the past, are increasingly recognized for their vital role in supporting biodiversity and climate action. Globally, roughly 4.2 billion hectares of customary land have been mapped, representing over 32 percent of the Earth’s landmass excluding Antarctica. These lands store an estimated 45 gigatons of irrecoverable carbon—37 percent of the global total—meaning that carbon released from these areas cannot be reabsorbed quickly enough to prevent further climate warming.
Despite their importance, customary lands face growing pressures from urban expansion, industrial agriculture, oil and gas extraction, and mining. Paradoxically, some climate solutions, including renewable energy projects, biofuels, conservation efforts, and carbon offset initiatives, are intensifying these threats, especially on lands without formal recognition or protection. The report underscores that securing land rights is foundational for achieving food security, climate goals, and biodiversity protection, while ensuring more equitable and resilient outcomes for communities worldwide.
