Annual Forest Area Change Rate 2024
Annual forest area change rate indicates how quickly a country's forests are expanding or shrinking each year.
Interactive Map
Complete Data Rankings
Rank | Actions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
1 | China | 1,611,000 % | |
2 | Russia | 839,550 % | |
3 | Turkey | 117,080.08 % | |
4 | France | 89,400 % | |
5 | South Africa | 87,566.016 % | |
6 | India | 86,000 % | |
7 | Indonesia | 81,479.69 % | |
8 | New Zealand | 67,548.05 % | |
9 | Kenya | 64,470.02 % | |
10 | Australia | 54,093.75 % | |
11 | Philippines | 42,450 % | |
12 | Uzbekistan | 41,037.99 % | |
13 | Serbia | 39,679.98 % | |
14 | Ukraine | 38,000 % | |
15 | Ghana | 35,720.02 % | |
16 | Spain | 30,143.75 % | |
17 | Belarus | 26,470.117 % | |
18 | Vietnam | 22,572.07 % | |
19 | Pakistan | 20,785.986 % | |
20 | Uruguay | 18,393.994 % | |
21 | Nepal | 16,579.98 % | |
22 | Rwanda | 14,559.998 % | |
23 | Congo | 14,000 % | |
24 | Kazakhstan | 13,900 % | |
25 | Bulgaria | 12,600 % | |
26 | United Kingdom | 12,600 % | |
27 | Italy | 12,490.039 % | |
28 | North Korea | 11,356.055 % | |
29 | Azerbaijan | 10,494.019 % | |
30 | Czech Republic | 9,040.039 % | |
31 | Ireland | 7,905.994 % | |
32 | Dominican Republic | 6,621.973 % | |
33 | Latvia | 6,566.016 % | |
34 | Poland | 6,159.961 % | |
35 | Hungary | 6,074.023 % | |
36 | Portugal | 5,647.998 % | |
37 | Romania | 5,616.016 % | |
38 | Germany | 4,800 % | |
39 | Fiji | 4,632.007 % | |
40 | Jamaica | 3,885.999 % | |
41 | Costa Rica | 3,517.969 % | |
42 | Togo | 3,039.99 % | |
43 | Lithuania | 2,830.029 % | |
44 | Austria | 2,817.969 % | |
45 | Mauritania | 2,630.005 % | |
46 | Cuba | 2,189.99 % | |
47 | Israel | 2,000 % | |
48 | Denmark | 1,969.995 % | |
49 | Slovakia | 1,854.004 % | |
50 | Switzerland | 1,832.007 % | |
51 | Saudi Arabia | 1,500 % | |
52 | South Sudan | 1,500 % | |
53 | Haiti | 1,400 % | |
54 | Croatia | 1,319.995 % | |
55 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1,040.039 % | |
56 | Iceland | 964 % | |
57 | El Salvador | 836.011 % | |
58 | Cabo Verde | 620.001 % | |
59 | Estonia | 575.977 % | |
60 | Bahrain | 480 % | |
61 | Netherlands | 450 % | |
62 | United Arab Emirates | 335.999 % | |
63 | Morocco | 313.965 % | |
64 | Tajikistan | 300 % | |
65 | Guadeloupe | 270 % | |
66 | United States Virgin Islands | 150 % | |
67 | Comoros | 100 % | |
68 | Lebanon | 96.002 % | |
69 | Palau | 90 % | |
70 | Wallis and Futuna Islands | 90 % | |
71 | Liechtenstein | 86 % | |
72 | Martinique | 75.999 % | |
73 | Kyrgyzstan | 63.989 % | |
74 | Saint Lucia | 50 % | |
75 | Syrian Arab Republic | 31.995 % | |
76 | Micronesia (Fed. States of) | 30 % | |
77 | Sao Tome and Principe | 25.999 % | |
78 | Armenia | 16.003 % | |
79 | Réunion | 16 % | |
80 | Andorra | 12 % | |
81 | Djibouti | 10 % | |
82 | Egypt | 6 % | |
83 | Jersey | 2 % | |
84 | Malta | 2 % | |
85 | Afghanistan | 0 % | |
86 | Anguilla | 0 % | |
87 | Aruba | 0 % | |
88 | Bahamas | 0 % | |
89 | Barbados | 0 % | |
90 | Bermuda | 0 % | |
91 | Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba | 0 % | |
92 | Botswana | 0 % | |
93 | Brunei Darussalam | 0 % | |
94 | Burundi | 0 % | |
95 | Cayman Islands | 0 % | |
96 | Cook Islands | 0 % | |
97 | Curaçao | 0 % | |
98 | Falkland Islands (Malvinas) | 0 % | |
99 | Faroe Islands | 0 % | |
100 | French Polynesia | 0 % | |
101 | Georgia | 0 % | |
102 | Gibraltar | 0 % | |
103 | Greenland | 0 % | |
104 | Grenada | 0 % | |
105 | Guam | 0 % | |
106 | Iran | 0 % | |
107 | Isle of Man | 0 % | |
108 | Jordan | 0 % | |
109 | Kiribati | 0 % | |
110 | Lesotho | 0 % | |
111 | Luxembourg | 0 % | |
112 | Maldives | 0 % | |
113 | Marshall Islands | 0 % | |
114 | Monaco | 0 % | |
115 | Montenegro | 0 % | |
116 | Montserrat | 0 % | |
117 | Nauru | 0 % | |
118 | Northern Mariana Islands | 0 % | |
119 | Oman | 0 % | |
120 | Qatar | 0 % | |
121 | Saint Barthélemy | 0 % | |
122 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 0 % | |
123 | Saint Martin (French part) | 0 % | |
124 | San Marino | 0 % | |
125 | Sint Maarten (Dutch part) | 0 % | |
126 | Tokelau | 0 % | |
127 | Tonga | 0 % | |
128 | Turkmenistan | 0 % | |
129 | Turks and Caicos Islands | 0 % | |
130 | Tuvalu | 0 % | |
131 | Holy See | 0 % | |
132 | Yemen | 0 % | |
133 | Saint Pierre and Miquelon | -22 % | |
134 | Mayotte | -34 % | |
135 | Dominica | -44 % | |
136 | Slovenia | -55.981 % | |
137 | Antigua and Barbuda | -66 % | |
138 | Cyprus | -167.999 % | |
139 | Seychelles | -218 % | |
140 | Libya | -334 % | |
141 | Trinidad and Tobago | -423.999 % | |
142 | Samoa | -480.002 % | |
143 | Republic of Moldova | -580.005 % | |
144 | Namibia | -644.043 % | |
145 | Algeria | -673.999 % | |
146 | Solomon Islands | -734.033 % | |
147 | Western Sahara | -798.01 % | |
148 | Timor-Leste | -847.998 % | |
149 | Bangladesh | -987.988 % | |
150 | Eswatini | -1,500 % | |
151 | Japan | -2,200 % | |
152 | Tunisia | -2,302.002 % | |
153 | Vanuatu | -2,383.997 % | |
154 | Norway | -2,433.984 % | |
155 | Panama | -3,014.063 % | |
156 | North Macedonia | -3,243.994 % | |
157 | Papua New Guinea | -3,750 % | |
158 | South Korea | -3,774.023 % | |
159 | Ethiopia | -3,919.922 % | |
160 | French Guiana | -4,179.981 % | |
161 | Guinea-Bissau | -4,237.988 % | |
162 | Chile | -4,883.984 % | |
163 | Niger | -4,919.995 % | |
164 | Sri Lanka | -4,943.994 % | |
165 | Puerto Rico | -5,209.998 % | |
166 | Eritrea | -5,980.005 % | |
167 | Gambia | -6,534 % | |
168 | Iraq | -6,604.004 % | |
169 | Gabon | -6,732.031 % | |
170 | Belize | -7,531.982 % | |
171 | Guyana | -7,630.078 % | |
172 | Equatorial Guinea | -8,359.961 % | |
173 | Bhutan | -8,483.984 % | |
174 | Canada | -9,818.75 % | |
175 | Guatemala | -13,190.039 % | |
176 | Senegal | -15,539.844 % | |
177 | Suriname | -18,251.953 % | |
178 | Sierra Leone | -19,725.977 % | |
179 | Nicaragua | -22,125.977 % | |
180 | Uganda | -28,097.998 % | |
181 | Ecuador | -30,153.906 % | |
182 | Laos | -35,333.984 % | |
183 | Benin | -37,381.984 % | |
184 | Liberia | -40,579.98 % | |
185 | Malawi | -42,000 % | |
186 | Central African Republic | -46,523.438 % | |
187 | Venezuela | -49,292.188 % | |
188 | Honduras | -50,220.02 % | |
189 | Zimbabwe | -53,000 % | |
190 | Malaysia | -60,000 % | |
191 | Guinea | -66,997.95 % | |
192 | United States | -72,000 % | |
193 | Somalia | -75,950 % | |
194 | Côte d'Ivoire | -80,822.07 % | |
195 | Zambia | -97,156.25 % | |
196 | Mali | -100,546.09 % | |
197 | Cameroon | -116,955.86 % | |
198 | Burkina Faso | -119,860.01 % | |
199 | Madagascar | -124,277.93 % | |
200 | Nigeria | -126,881.64 % | |
201 | Mexico | -127,765.625 % | |
202 | Chad | -127,914.016 % | |
203 | Colombia | -133,284.38 % | |
204 | Thailand | -138,016.02 % | |
205 | Paraguay | -163,710.16 % | |
206 | Sudan | -174,139.84 % | |
207 | Argentina | -179,517.97 % | |
208 | Bolivia | -239,760.16 % | |
209 | Mozambique | -267,027.75 % | |
210 | Congo, Democratic Republic of the | -282,893.75 % | |
211 | Myanmar | -289,712.12 % | |
212 | Peru | -299,339.06 % | |
213 | Cambodia | -308,734 % | |
214 | Tanzania | -469,000 % | |
215 | Angola | -510,029.7 % | |
216 | Brazil | -3,256,050 % |
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #216
Brazil
- #215
Angola
- #214
Tanzania
- #213
Cambodia
- #212
Peru
- #211
Myanmar
- #210
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
- #209
Mozambique
- #208
Bolivia
- #207
Argentina
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2024, China leads the world in the Annual Forest Area Change Rate with an increase of 1,611,000 hectares, while the global range spans from a minimum of -126,881.64 hectares to a maximum of 1,611,000 hectares. The average change across 200 countries is 9,809.82 hectares per year, with a median value of 0.00 hectares, highlighting significant disparities in forest management globally.
Economic Growth and Forest Expansion
Countries experiencing rapid economic growth often invest in reforestation as part of sustainable development strategies. China, with the highest increase of 1,611,000 hectares, exemplifies this trend. Its ambitious afforestation programs, driven by government policies to combat desertification and improve air quality, contribute significantly to its forest area expansion. Similarly, India, adding 86,000 hectares, benefits from both governmental initiatives and community-driven reforestation projects. These efforts reflect a broader understanding that economic development and environmental sustainability can go hand in hand.
Environmental Policies Driving Change
Strong environmental policies are crucial in reversing deforestation trends. Turkey and France, increasing their forest areas by 117,080.08 hectares and 89,400 hectares respectively, showcase the impact of targeted national policies. Turkey's commitment to increasing its forest cover is part of its broader environmental strategy, while France's efforts are aligned with European Union directives on biodiversity and climate change mitigation. These countries illustrate how policy frameworks can effectively guide national efforts toward positive environmental outcomes.
Deforestation in Developing Nations
Conversely, many developing countries face significant challenges in forest conservation. Nigeria and Madagascar report the most substantial losses, with -126,881.64 hectares and -124,277.93 hectares respectively. These losses are often linked to agricultural expansion, illegal logging, and insufficient enforcement of environmental regulations. In Burkina Faso and Cameroon, with reductions of -119,860.01 hectares and -116,955.86 hectares, similar factors are at play, compounded by economic pressures that prioritize immediate economic gains over long-term environmental sustainability.
Urbanization and Its Impact
Urbanization presents both challenges and opportunities for forest area management. In countries like South Africa and New Zealand, where forest areas increased by 87,566.016 hectares and 67,548.05 hectares respectively, urban expansion is often balanced with green initiatives that incorporate urban forestry and green belts. These strategies help mitigate the environmental impacts of urbanization, demonstrating that urban growth does not have to come at the expense of forest health. Meanwhile, Kenya shows a modest increase of 64,470.02 hectares, reflecting efforts to integrate sustainable urban planning with forest conservation.
Year-over-Year Stability
Interestingly, the year-over-year changes for the top performers like China, Russia, and Turkey show 0.0% variation, indicating consistent implementation of forest management policies. However, this stability does not imply complacency but rather highlights the ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving forest areas. In contrast, countries experiencing deforestation, such as Nigeria and Madagascar, face a more fluctuating scenario due to varying economic and policy challenges.
Ultimately, the Annual Forest Area Change Rate in 2024 underscores the complex interplay between economic development, environmental policy, and global sustainability efforts. Countries that successfully balance these elements offer valuable lessons for those striving to reverse negative trends in forest area change.
Frequently Asked Questions About Annual Forest Area Change Rate in 2024
Which country has the highest annual forest area change rate in 2024?
China has the highest annual forest area change rate in 2024, with an increase of 1,611,000%.
Which country has the lowest annual forest area change rate in 2024?
Brazil has the lowest annual forest area change rate in 2024, with a decrease of -3,256,050%.
What is the average annual forest area change rate for countries in 2024?
The average annual forest area change rate for countries in 2024 is -23,171%.
What is the median annual forest area change rate for countries in 2024?
The median annual forest area change rate for countries in 2024 is 0%.
How many countries are included in the 2024 annual forest area change rate dataset?
The dataset includes 216 countries.
Which countries are in the top 3 for annual forest area change rate in 2024?
The top 3 countries for annual forest area change rate in 2024 are China, Russia, and Turkey.
Insights by country
Ecuador
Ecuador ranks #181 globally with an alarming -30153.906 % for its Annual Forest Area Change Rate in 2024. This figure is significantly worse than many neighboring countries, reflecting severe deforestation challenges in the region. Key drivers include extensive agricultural expansion, illegal logging, and infrastructure development, which have all contributed to the rapid loss of forested areas in this biodiverse nation.
Iraq
Iraq ranks #168 globally with an alarming -6604.004 % for its Annual Forest Area Change Rate in 2024. This figure is significantly worse than the global average, indicating severe deforestation challenges. Key drivers include ongoing conflict, which has hindered effective environmental policies, and urban expansion that encroaches on forested areas.
Angola
In 2024, Angola has an Annual Forest Area Change Rate of -510029.7 %, ranking #215 out of 216 countries. This drastic decline in forest area far exceeds the global average, highlighting a severe environmental crisis. Key factors contributing to this statistic include extensive deforestation driven by agricultural expansion and illegal logging, coupled with inadequate enforcement of environmental protection policies.
Saint Martin (French part)
In 2024, Saint Martin (French part) has an Annual Forest Area Change Rate of 0 %, ranking #124 out of 216 countries. This rate is notably lower than the global average, indicating minimal changes in forest area compared to other regions.
The lack of significant deforestation or reforestation activities can be attributed to the island's small land area and limited agricultural expansion, alongside a focus on tourism rather than large-scale industrial development. Additionally, environmental policies may prioritize the preservation of existing natural habitats, contributing to this stable rate.
Tunisia
Tunisia ranks #152 globally with an Annual Forest Area Change Rate of -2302.002 % in 2024. This figure is significantly worse than many countries, reflecting severe deforestation challenges in the region.
The primary drivers of this alarming rate include urban expansion, agricultural practices that prioritize short-term yields over sustainability, and inadequate forest management policies. Additionally, Tunisia's geographic location and climate vulnerability exacerbate the loss of forested areas, impacting biodiversity and local ecosystems.
Zimbabwe
In 2024, Zimbabwe ranks #189 globally with an Annual Forest Area Change Rate of -53000 %. This figure is significantly lower than many countries, reflecting severe deforestation challenges faced in the region. Key drivers include unsustainable agricultural practices and economic pressures that lead to land conversion for farming, which have drastically impacted forest cover.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
In 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina holds a global rank of #55 with an Annual Forest Area Change Rate of 1040.0391 %. This figure is significantly higher than many countries, reflecting a robust increase in forest area compared to the global average. Key drivers include the country's extensive reforestation efforts and the preservation of natural landscapes, which are supported by both government initiatives and local conservation groups.
Romania
In 2024, Romania ranks #37 globally with an annual forest area change rate of 5616.0156 %. This significant figure is notably higher than the global average, indicating robust reforestation efforts compared to many countries. Key drivers behind Romania's impressive rate include government initiatives aimed at increasing forest cover and the country's diverse ecosystems that support rapid forest growth.
Saint Lucia
In 2024, Saint Lucia ranks #74 globally with an Annual Forest Area Change Rate of 50 %. This rate is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting a commitment to reforestation and sustainable land management practices. The country's focus on eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation has driven policies aimed at enhancing forest cover, while its mountainous terrain supports diverse ecosystems that are prioritized for protection.
Australia
In 2024, Australia ranks #10 globally with an Annual Forest Area Change Rate of 54093.75 %. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting Australia's unique environmental policies and initiatives aimed at forest conservation and regeneration. The country’s vast land area and diverse ecosystems, coupled with strong governmental support for sustainable forestry practices, have contributed to this remarkable change rate.
Data Source
Annual change in forest area | Our World in Data
Our World in Data is a research organization that provides comprehensive datasets on global development, including statistics on annual changes in forest area by country. The dataset offers insights into deforestation and reforestation trends, enabling comparisons across different nations and time periods.
Visit Data SourceHistorical Data by Year
Explore Annual Forest Area Change Rate data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.
More Environment Facts
Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha)
Above-ground biomass in forest measures carbon storage per hectare. Explore rankings and compare data across 266+ countries with interactive maps.
View dataBrowse All Environment
Explore more facts and statistics in this category
All Categories
Discover more categories with comprehensive global data