One hundred and twenty-six countries and territories representing 73 percent of the global forest area replied to the 1953 questionnaire. Information from the replies to the 1947 questionnaire was used for 10 countries (3 percent of the global forest area) that did not respond, and official statistics were used for the remaining 57 countries (24 percent of the global forest area). 

Major findings

• Total forest cover (global): 3.8 billion hectares.
• Net forest change: not reported.