UN: Over a billion people may lose land and housing in the next five years » Gazeta.kg

According to a report prepared with the participation of the UN, more than a billion people, which is nearly one in four adults, express concerns that within the next five years they may lose their rights to land or housing. The researchers who compiled the report emphasize the need for a more inclusive approach to land rights.

Over the past 20 years, many governments have developed both national and international frameworks to address issues related to land policy, including initiatives in Africa and responsible approaches to land governance. This has led to more than 70 countries beginning to implement land reforms.

Issues of Land Insecurity and Inequality

However, many challenges remain in this direction. According to a study conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Land Coalition, and the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), only 35% of land worldwide has formally documented rights of ownership or use.

More than 1.1 billion people feel "land insecure," meaning they anticipate the possibility of losing their property in the coming years.

Land Ownership Structure

The report highlights that government bodies hold legal rights to more than 64% of land worldwide, including lands with traditional use but without official confirmation of ownership rights. Private ownership accounts for just over a quarter of all land, with about 18% of land, equivalent to 2.4 billion hectares, belonging to individuals and companies. In the agricultural sector, the top 10% of landowners cultivate nearly 90% of all arable land.

At the same time, the ownership status of 10% of land remains uncertain.

Traditional Land Use Practices

The report also emphasizes traditional land tenure systems. These lands, historically used by indigenous peoples, nomadic tribes, or local communities for traditional livelihoods, include forests, pastures, wetlands, and fishing grounds. Once considered outdated, the management system for such lands is increasingly recognized as critically important for both people and the planet, due to its contribution to biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.

Approximately 4.2 billion hectares of traditional lands have been mapped worldwide, accounting for more than 32% of all land on Earth (excluding Antarctica).

Photo on the main page is illustrative: https://www.nalog.gov.ru.