Average area burnt per wildfire in Sweden
Sweden: Average area burnt per wildfire was 86.25 hectares in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Average area burnt per wildfire in Sweden, 2012–2026
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2026, average area burnt per wildfire in Sweden stood at 86.25 hectares. That is the lowest value across all 15 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 72.8% on the previous year and down 46.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, average area burnt per wildfire in Sweden peaked at 529.85 hectares in 2014 and was at its lowest, 86.25 hectares, in 2026.
That places Sweden 181st out of 182 countries with data for 2026, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Average area burnt per wildfire in Sweden, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 150.92 hectares | — |
| 2013 | 128.73 hectares | -14.7% |
| 2014 | 529.85 hectares | +311.6% |
| 2015 | 133 hectares | -74.9% |
| 2016 | 161.58 hectares | +21.5% |
| 2017 | 150.75 hectares | -6.7% |
| 2018 | 483.93 hectares | +221.0% |
| 2019 | 134.47 hectares | -72.2% |
| 2020 | 264.21 hectares | +96.5% |
| 2021 | 152.33 hectares | -42.3% |
| 2022 | 114.23 hectares | -25.0% |
| 2023 | 181.17 hectares | +58.6% |
| 2024 | 158 hectares | -12.8% |
| 2025 | 317 hectares | +100.6% |
| 2026 | 86.25 hectares | -72.8% |
Sweden compared with similar countries
- Sweden's 86.25 hectares is below the median for high income countries, which is 215 hectares, 40% of the median. (59 countries reporting)
- Sweden's 86.25 hectares is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 207.64 hectares, 42% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 234.15 hectares | 128.73 hectares | 529.85 hectares | 8 |
| 2020s | 181.88 hectares | 86.25 hectares | 317 hectares | 7 |
Countries ranked near Sweden
- 178 Lebanon 99.24 hectares compare
- 179 Antigua and Barbuda 95 hectares compare
- 180 Burundi 91.74 hectares compare
- 182 Switzerland 75 hectares compare
More reference data data for Sweden
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.4328 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.2237 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.68 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.2063 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 1.68 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.9766 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.13 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 8.03 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.12 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is average area burnt per wildfire in Sweden?
- Average area burnt per wildfire in Sweden was 86.25 hectares in 2026, according to Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest average area burnt per wildfire recorded in Sweden?
- The highest recorded value was 529.85 hectares in 2014.
- What is the lowest average area burnt per wildfire recorded in Sweden?
- The lowest recorded value was 86.25 hectares in 2026.
- How does Sweden rank for average area burnt per wildfire?
- Sweden ranks 181st out of 182 countries with data for 2026.
- Is average area burnt per wildfire rising or falling in Sweden?
- Over the last ten years it is down 46.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sweden data come from?
- The figures come from Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Average area burnt per wildfire. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Average area burnt per wildfire, in hectares. The 2026 data is incomplete and was last updated 18 September 2026.