Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the global forest area statistic according to the most recent comprehensive report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which is the "State of the World's Forests" (SOFO).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
• FAO SOFO 2022 Data: According to the FAO, forests cover approximately 31 percent of the world's total land area.
• Absolute Area: In absolute terms, the total forest area is 4.06 billion hectares (ha). This figure is a benchmark in global environmental and forestry discussions.
• Distribution: More than half (54 percent) of the world's forests are located in only five countries: the Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America, and China.
• Trends: While the world has lost significant forest area since 1990 (estimated at 178 million ha), the rate of net forest loss has decreased significantly over the last three decades due to increased reforestation and natural expansion in some regions.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The total global forest area is 4.06 billion hectares.