How much forest is lost each year?

The world loses approximately 4.7 million hectares of forest annually — an area roughly the size of Denmark.

Is deforestation slowing?

Yes, the rate has declined from 7.8 million ha/year in the 1990s to 4.7 million today, though tropical deforestation remains high.

Which country loses the most forest?

Brazil accounts for approximately 30% of global tropical deforestation, though rates have declined significantly under recent policies.

Global Average Deforestation Rate

Last updated: February 8, 2026

4.7M ha

million hectares/year

The world loses approximately 4.7 million hectares of forest annually (net). Brazil accounts for ~30% of tropical deforestation. However, the rate has slowed from 7.8 million ha/year in the 1990s. Forests absorb about 2.6 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Historical Trend

Source: FAO

Why This Average Exists

Deforestation monitoring is critical as forests are carbon sinks, biodiversity hotspots, and rainfall regulators affecting agriculture and water supply.

Factors That Affect Global Average Deforestation Rate

Agricultural expansion
Logging
Urban sprawl
Fire
Government policy
Consumer demand for commodities

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology & Data Sources

The data presented on this page is compiled from publicly available datasets published by international organizations including the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations, NASA, and national statistical agencies.

Global averages are calculated using population-weighted or arithmetic means depending on the metric. Country-level data reflects the most recent available figures, typically from 2024–2024. Where gaps exist, the latest available data point is used.

All figures are subject to revision as source organizations update their datasets. For the most authoritative data, we encourage consulting the original sources linked in the table above.