Africa: Over a Billion Fear Losing Land and Homes Within Five Years
AllAfrica
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Over one billion adults worldwide, nearly one in four, fear losing their land or housing rights within the next five years, according to a UN-backed report. Despite global efforts to strengthen land tenure and governance, progress has been slow, with only 35% of the world’s land formally documented. This “land insecurity” is a critical issue, as it undermines productivity, resilience, and nutrition, particularly in regions like sub-Saharan Africa where 73% of land is held under customary systems but less than 1% is formally recognized.
The report highlights stark disparities in land ownership. State-owned land makes up over 64% globally, while private ownership accounts for just 25%. Indigenous Peoples and women are disproportionately affected, with only a billion hectares of their lands documented out of the 5.5 billion hectares they occupy. Women, in particular, face significant barriers to securing land rights, further exacerbating inequality.
Land tenure systems vary widely by region. In North America, 32% of land is privately owned, compared to 55% in Europe (excluding Russia). In sub-Saharan Africa, 73% of land is held under customary tenure, but most remains undocumented or state-owned. These differences highlight the need for inclusive policies and stronger political commitment to address land insecurity.
The report underscores the urgent need for formal documentation of land rights to ensure sustainable investment and long-term food security. Secure land tenure is essential for addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and gender inequality. By prioritizing equitable land governance, governments can foster resilience, reduce poverty, and achieve global development goals.
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Originally published on AllAfrica on 2/26/2026