The biocapacity of a region is its long-term ability to support organisms.
2008 data from the Global Footprint Network show that world ecological footprint of 2.6 hectares per person was already above the biocapacity of 1.6 - a deficit of 1 ha.
High-income countries (such as those in North American and the European Union) are in higher deficits.
South America is the only major region that has a significant biocapacity reserve of 4.5 ha.