Number of threatened species 2023, by select country

Madagascar was the country with the most threatened living species in the world, at nearly 3,800 species under threat of extinction as of 2023. Five out of the top 10 countries with the largest number of threatened species were in America, with Ecuador ranking second on the list. Altogether, of the 2,700 threatened species in Ecuador, about three-quarters were plants. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) threatened living species include all those that are either critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable to being endangered in the future.

Which living species are more susceptible to extinction?

Not only in Ecuador are plants the most vulnerable group to extinction, but also in many other countries across the globe. As of 2023, nearly 60 percent of the world’s living species threatened with extinction were plants, with flowering plants accounting for the largest share. The loss of plant biodiversity is a concerning issue, as it may impact the search for new food crops that are resilient to climate change or the search for new medicines. Invertebrates followed, representing over 14 percent of the threatened living species globally. In particular, insects accounted for a five percent share. Insects are the group with the largest number of organisms discovered up to date.

Why do living species become endangered?

While extinction occurs naturally, the current rate at which species become extinct is higher than the natural historical rate. Habitat loss is the main driver of extinction, but there are other reasons behind it, such as over-exploitation of wildlife for commercial purposes or the introduction of harmful non-native species. Climate change also plays a big role, and if global warming is not limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the share of species at high risk of extinction could increase up to nearly 30 percent.