UN Warns That More Than Half of the World’s Soils Are in Poor Condition

A new assessment from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has raised an urgent environmental warning: soil health is deteriorating across large parts of the world, creating growing risks for food production, biodiversity and climate resilience.

The report released on August 27, 2026, found that soil management was rated poor or very poor in 52.5% of assessed regions and subregions. Only about 14% were classified as having good or very good soil management, while roughly one-third were considered to be in fair condition.

Why Soil Health Matters

Soil is far more than the ground on which crops grow. According to the FAO assessment, soils support approximately 95% of global food production and provide habitats for a huge share of the world’s biodiversity. Healthy soils also store carbon, helping ecosystems contribute to climate regulation.

When soil loses its ability to retain nutrients, water and organic matter, agricultural productivity can decline. Degraded land can also become more vulnerable to erosion, drought and flooding.

The issue is particularly important as the world’s population continues to require large and reliable supplies of food.

Erosion Emerges as a Major Threat

The FAO identifies soil erosion as the most significant threat among the problems examined. Unsustainable agricultural practices can leave soil exposed, allowing valuable topsoil to be carried away by wind or water.

Topsoil contains organic matter and nutrients that are essential for productive agriculture. Once substantial quantities are lost, restoring the land can take considerable time and investment.

The assessment also points to several other pressures, including declining soil organic carbon, poor nutrient management, reduced soil biodiversity, salinity, pollution and the expansion of urban areas.

Climate Change Could Intensify the Problem

Climate change is adding another layer of pressure to already vulnerable soils. Changes in rainfall, rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather can accelerate erosion and reduce the ability of soil to retain moisture.

At the same time, damaged soils can contribute to climate change when stored carbon is released into the atmosphere. This creates a cycle in which environmental degradation and climate pressures can reinforce each other.

Scientists have also found a clear relationship between land degradation and agricultural productivity. A 2026 study published in Nature Food estimated that a 10% increase in land degradation is associated with an approximately 2% increase in average crop-yield gaps globally.

Solutions Already Exist

The FAO says the world does not necessarily need to invent new methods to protect soil. Many effective approaches are already known but remain insufficiently implemented.

Reducing intensive tillage can help preserve soil structure and biological activity. Farmers can also use cover crops to protect exposed land and improve nutrient cycling.

Agroforestry—combining trees with agricultural production—is another potential solution. Trees can help stabilize soil, improve water retention and provide additional sources of food or income.

Better management of fertilizers is also important because excessive or inappropriate use can contribute to pollution and damage soil ecosystems.

The Financial Challenge

One of the biggest barriers is not simply a lack of knowledge. Farmers may face high initial costs, limited access to financing and insufficient local information when attempting to adopt more sustainable methods.

The FAO is therefore calling for stronger financial incentives, better region-specific data and greater recognition of indigenous knowledge in soil-management strategies.

A Growing Food-Security Concern

The deterioration of soils could become an increasingly important food-security issue if productive land continues to lose quality.

A recent scientific analysis estimated that land degradation across global croplands is associated with losses equivalent to around 20 million tonnes of crop production annually, although the precise effects vary substantially by region.

This means soil conservation is not only an environmental issue. It is also connected with farmers’ incomes, food prices, rural livelihoods and the ability of countries to maintain agricultural production.

A Shift From Exploitation to Stewardship

The FAO is urging countries to rethink the way soil resources are managed, moving away from short-term exploitation toward long-term stewardship.

Protecting soil today can improve agricultural resilience, support biodiversity, retain carbon and reduce vulnerability to climate-related shocks.

The latest assessment serves as a reminder that one of Earth’s most important natural resources is largely hidden beneath our feet. Without healthier management practices, the degradation of soils could create increasingly serious consequences for both nature and human societies.