Statistics show a decrease in nature and forest areas in the Netherlands

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reported that the surface area of nature and forest areas in the Netherlands decreased by around 2.5 percent from 2013 to 2022, or 158 square kilometers. This coincided with an increase in built-up areas of 3.4 percent, or 277 square kilometers. That is land meant for homes, factories, offices, and infrastructure.

The number of agricultural areas also decreased in the Netherlands by 0.9 percent, or roughly 178 square kilometers. Nature and forest areas are mainly changing to built-up and agricultural areas, however, new nature has also emerged from the agricultural areas.

During the period ranging 2013-2022, about 131 square kilometers of natural grassland were lost, 36 square kilometers of forest area, and 21 square kilometers of dune and coastal regions. The amount of heathland and drifting sand areas increased by 15 square kilometers, as did swamp and peat lands.

The area of nature that has disappeared varies nationally, according to the CBS. The provinces Zuid-Holland (60 square kilometers) and Friesland (44 square kilometers) had the highest decrease in nature and forest areas. Drenthe, Overijssel, Noord-Brabant, and Limburg increased in nature and forest areas from 2013 to 2022.

In 2022, over 45 percent of Dutch surface area was agricultural, and a quarter was arable and horticultural.

More than 20 percent were built-up areas in 2022. Nature and forest areas were almost 16 percent of the surface area in the Netherlands.