Polar Bears occur at low densities throughout their range and are most abundant in shallow water areas near shore or where currents or upwellings increase biological productivity, and near ice areas associated with open water, polynyas or lead systems. Polar Bears are less abundant in the high central arctic over deeper waters of the polar basin. Seasonally, in the summer open water season in the Canadian arctic islands and Svalbard, and in recent years during the fall in northern Alaska and Russian Chukotka, Polar Bears may be found on land in higher densities. Breeding occurs in March to May, implantation is delayed until autumn, and birth is generally thought to occur from late November to mid-January. Although some cubs are born in earth dens (Canada), most births occur in snow dens that may be occupied from four to six months during the maternal event. Only pregnant female Polar Bears den for this protracted period, during which they rely on fat stores for energy and sustenance. The average litter size is less than two at the time the family leave their den in spring. Cubs are most typically dependent upon mothers until after the start of their third year of life. Age of first reproduction is normally five or six years for females. These factors contribute to the low reproductive potential for the species (Amstrup 2003).

In Europe, Polar Bears are found in Svalbard (Norway) and Franz Josef Land (Russian Arctic) year-round. Close to 300 bears are local in Svalbard and never leave the archipelago, but use sea ice available in the area (Aars et al. 2017). Most bears follow the marginal ice zone, which may be further south in winter, but now frequently is located north of Svalbard much of the year (Lone et al. 2018a). Occasionally, bears venture down to the west coast of Novaya Zemlya, in years when sea ice is present in that area.

Polar Bears live throughout the ice-covered waters of Greenland (Denmark), Norway, Russian Federation (North European Russia, Siberia, Chukotka), the circumpolar Arctic, in Canada (Manitoba, Newfoundland, Labrador, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Quebec, Yukon Territory, Ontario), and the United States (Alaska). Some vagrants occasionally reach Iceland. Their range is limited by the southern extent of sea ice. Although some occur in the permanent multi-year pack ice of the central Arctic basin, they are most common in the annual ice over the continental shelf and inter-island archipelagos that surround the polar basin. Polar Bears that have continuous access to sea ice are able to hunt throughout the year. However, in those areas where the sea ice melts completely each summer, Polar Bears are forced to spend up to several months on land fasting on stored fat reserves until freeze-up. Use of land by Polar Bears during the ice-free season has increased in certain locations (see Laidre et al. 2022). Polar Bears typically occur at low elevations (i.e., on the sea ice and up to c. 200 m in coastal areas), but can also cross inland glaciers and mountain areas further inland (Aars et al. 2009).

Conservation actions vary by jurisdiction. The International Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears provides guidance, and Article II of the Agreement states that each contracting party "shall manage polar bear populations in accordance with sound conservation practices based on the best available scientific information," and according to Article VII, "The Contracting Parties shall conduct national research programs on Polar Bears" and "..consult with each other on the management of migrating polar bear populations". These articles have been important for stimulating governments to support applied research to answer management questions regarding polar bears throughout their range. This work is often coordinated through the IUCN SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group (PBSG) and meetings of the Polar Bear Range States. Resolutions from the PBSG are developed and directed toward ensuring that the terms and intentions of the Agreement are being met. Coordinated research is ongoing, management actions are reviewed for consistency, and legislation to effect bilateral management for internationally shared populations such as between the US-Russia is being pursued. In Europe, the Barents Sea population is protected. In Svalbard, Norway, the Governor is responsible for the management of polar bears. The Svalbard Environmental Protection Act of 2009 implements laws to protect habitat and avoid human disturbance.

The Polar Bear is listed on Appendix II of the Bern Convention, and Appendix II of CITES.

Further monitoring of population trends is recommended.