Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Laos
Laos: Area burned by wildfires by land cover type was 52,398 hectares in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Laos, 2002–2025
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
Laos recorded 52,398 hectares for area burned by wildfires by land cover type in 2025.
That represents a change of down 42.0% on the previous year and down 13.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Laos peaked at 131,092 hectares in 2023 and was at its lowest, 8,264 hectares, in 2002.
Laos ranks 58th of 225 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Laos, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 8,264 hectares | — |
| 2003 | 18,911 hectares | +128.8% |
| 2004 | 30,117 hectares | +59.3% |
| 2005 | 34,324 hectares | +14.0% |
| 2006 | 16,464 hectares | -52.0% |
| 2007 | 48,556 hectares | +194.9% |
| 2008 | 26,961 hectares | -44.5% |
| 2009 | 34,131 hectares | +26.6% |
| 2010 | 67,231 hectares | +97.0% |
| 2011 | 27,562 hectares | -59.0% |
| 2012 | 34,109 hectares | +23.8% |
| 2013 | 48,942 hectares | +43.5% |
| 2014 | 33,057 hectares | -32.5% |
| 2015 | 60,319 hectares | +82.5% |
| 2016 | 71,610 hectares | +18.7% |
| 2017 | 35,011 hectares | -51.1% |
| 2018 | 32,092 hectares | -8.3% |
| 2019 | 64,183 hectares | +100.0% |
| 2020 | 74,658 hectares | +16.3% |
| 2021 | 34,109 hectares | -54.3% |
| 2022 | 25,029 hectares | -26.6% |
| 2023 | 131,092 hectares | +423.8% |
| 2024 | 90,328 hectares | -31.1% |
| 2025 | 52,398 hectares | -42.0% |
Laos compared with similar countries
- Laos's 52,398 hectares is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 49,425 hectares, 1.1× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Laos's 52,398 hectares is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 42.93 hectares, 1220.5× the median. (35 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 27,216 hectares | 8,264 hectares | 48,556 hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 47,412 hectares | 27,562 hectares | 71,610 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 67,936 hectares | 25,029 hectares | 131,092 hectares | 6 |
Countries ranked near Laos
More reference data data for Laos
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.6615 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.913 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.88 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.3021 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 1.88 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 2.22 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 3.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.07 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 12.95 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.64 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Laos?
- Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Laos was 52,398 hectares in 2025, according to Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest area burned by wildfires by land cover type recorded in Laos?
- The highest recorded value was 131,092 hectares in 2023.
- What is the lowest area burned by wildfires by land cover type recorded in Laos?
- The lowest recorded value was 8,264 hectares in 2002.
- How does Laos rank for area burned by wildfires by land cover type?
- Laos ranks 58th out of 225 countries with data for 2025.
- Is area burned by wildfires by land cover type rising or falling in Laos?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Laos data come from?
- The figures come from Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Area burned by wildfires by land cover type. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Area of shrubland and grassland burnt by wildfires each year, in hectares. Includes open and closed shrublands and grasslands without a significant tree cover.