The concept of owning land takes on a planetary scale when considering a select few individuals and institutions. Recent estimates reveal a staggering fact: the world's top landowners collectively control an area equivalent to roughly 16 percent of the Earth's entire terrestrial surface. This vast expanse, amounting to billions of acres, is held by royal families, religious institutions, indigenous nations, and billionaire tycoons, painting a fascinating picture of global property distribution.
The Crown's Colossal Dominion
Topping the list of the world's largest landowners is King Charles III and the British Royal Family. Their holdings are estimated at a monumental 6.6 billion acres. This figure represents approximately one-sixth of the planet's landmass. It is crucial to understand that this ownership is not personal property in a conventional sense. The vast majority of this land comprises sovereign territories like the United Kingdom and Commonwealth realms such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. King Charles III inherited this position as the head of state for these nations following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The lands are managed for public and state purposes rather than private benefit.
Sacred Holdings and Indigenous Territories
Following the Crown, the next major landowner is a spiritual institution. The Catholic Church, under the leadership of the Pope, holds an estimated 177 million acres globally. These properties include churches, cathedrals, schools, monasteries, and other religious buildings spread across continents.
In a significant recognition of historic rights, Indigenous Nations also feature prominently on this list. Their ownership stems from modern legal agreements. A prime example is the Inuit of Nunavut in Canada, who control about 87.5 million acres following the landmark 1993 Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. This settlement is one of the largest of its kind in history. Similarly, the Inuvialuit people hold rights over approximately 22 million acres.
Billionaires and Their Expansive Estates
The list of mega-landowners extends to private billionaires and corporate entities. Prominent among them is Gina Rinehart, Australia's richest woman. Through her mining and agricultural conglomerates, she controls around 24 million acres of land, primarily comprised of massive cattle stations and farming ventures.
Another notable figure is Anders Holch Povlsen, a Danish fashion billionaire renowned as the largest private landowner in the United Kingdom. He owns thousands of acres across the Scottish Highlands, focusing on conservation and rewilding projects alongside traditional estate management.
The scale of these holdings forces a reconsideration of land, power, and stewardship on a global level. While some holdings represent national sovereignty and others are the result of corporate investment or historic restitution, the collective footprint of these top landowners underscores a profound concentration of terrestrial control.
