Average area burnt per wildfire in Zambia
Zambia: Average area burnt per wildfire was 331.5 hectares in 2026. ▬ Flat
Average area burnt per wildfire in Zambia, 2012–2026
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
Zambia recorded 331.5 hectares for average area burnt per wildfire in 2026. That is the lowest value across all 15 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 20.8% on the previous year and down 14.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, average area burnt per wildfire in Zambia peaked at 419.24 hectares in 2024 and was at its lowest, 331.5 hectares, in 2026.
Zambia ranks 51st of 182 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Average area burnt per wildfire in Zambia, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 383.19 hectares | — |
| 2013 | 386.65 hectares | +0.9% |
| 2014 | 380.93 hectares | -1.5% |
| 2015 | 395.27 hectares | +3.8% |
| 2016 | 389.62 hectares | -1.4% |
| 2017 | 395.74 hectares | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 359.57 hectares | -9.1% |
| 2019 | 392.12 hectares | +9.1% |
| 2020 | 397.89 hectares | +1.5% |
| 2021 | 380.21 hectares | -4.4% |
| 2022 | 385.89 hectares | +1.5% |
| 2023 | 372.92 hectares | -3.4% |
| 2024 | 419.24 hectares | +12.4% |
| 2025 | 418.8 hectares | -0.1% |
| 2026 | 331.5 hectares | -20.8% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 331.5 hectares is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 299.57 hectares, 1.1× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 331.5 hectares is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 314.75 hectares, 1.1× the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 385.39 hectares | 359.57 hectares | 395.74 hectares | 8 |
| 2020s | 386.64 hectares | 331.5 hectares | 419.24 hectares | 7 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More reference data data for Zambia
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Global number of reported disasters by size, gaps filled 0 events (2025)
- Annual precipitation, annual growth rate 40.84 % change on previous year (2025)
- Free country, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, gaps filled 4 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Consumer price index 483.32 2010 = 100 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is average area burnt per wildfire in Zambia?
- Average area burnt per wildfire in Zambia was 331.5 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 419.24 hectares in 2024.
- What is the lowest average area burnt per wildfire recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 331.5 hectares in 2026.
- How does Zambia rank for average area burnt per wildfire?
- Zambia ranks 51st out of 182 countries with data for 2026.
- Is average area burnt per wildfire rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Zambia 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.