Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Costa Rica
Costa Rica: Tree cover loss by dominant driver was 87.66 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Costa Rica, 2001–2024
Source: Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2024, tree cover loss by dominant driver in Costa Rica stood at 87.66 hectares.
The figure is down 24.4% on the previous year and down 10.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss by dominant driver in Costa Rica peaked at 693.02 hectares in 2002 and was at its lowest, 34.52 hectares, in 2015.
That places Costa Rica 92nd out of 186 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Costa Rica, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 276.7 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 693.02 hectares | +150.5% |
| 2003 | 114.72 hectares | -83.4% |
| 2004 | 298.37 hectares | +160.1% |
| 2005 | 383.4 hectares | +28.5% |
| 2006 | 382.35 hectares | -0.3% |
| 2007 | 245.13 hectares | -35.9% |
| 2008 | 472.56 hectares | +92.8% |
| 2009 | 597.79 hectares | +26.5% |
| 2010 | 140.08 hectares | -76.6% |
| 2011 | 185.73 hectares | +32.6% |
| 2012 | 235.46 hectares | +26.8% |
| 2013 | 95.79 hectares | -59.3% |
| 2014 | 97.61 hectares | +1.9% |
| 2015 | 34.52 hectares | -64.6% |
| 2016 | 105.56 hectares | +205.8% |
| 2017 | 108.4 hectares | +2.7% |
| 2018 | 181.23 hectares | +67.2% |
| 2019 | 85.15 hectares | -53.0% |
| 2020 | 106.57 hectares | +25.2% |
| 2021 | 114.82 hectares | +7.7% |
| 2022 | 83.42 hectares | -27.3% |
| 2023 | 115.97 hectares | +39.0% |
| 2024 | 87.66 hectares | -24.4% |
Costa Rica compared with similar countries
- Costa Rica's 87.66 hectares is below the median for high income countries, which is 97.53 hectares, 90% of the median. (63 countries reporting)
- Costa Rica's 87.66 hectares is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 105.54 hectares, 83% of the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 384.89 hectares | 114.72 hectares | 693.02 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 126.95 hectares | 34.52 hectares | 235.46 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 101.69 hectares | 83.42 hectares | 115.97 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Costa Rica
- 89 Netherlands 97.53 hectares compare
- 90 Cambodia 96.68 hectares compare
- 91 Bulgaria 92.47 hectares compare
- 93 Lithuania 82.48 hectares compare
- 94 French Guiana 79.34 hectares compare
- 95 Montenegro 78.76 hectares compare
More reference data data for Costa Rica
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.2987 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.406 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.27 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0167 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 1.27 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.3161 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 2.24 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 5.91 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0907 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is tree cover loss by dominant driver in Costa Rica?
- Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Costa Rica was 87.66 hectares in 2024, according to Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest tree cover loss by dominant driver recorded in Costa Rica?
- The highest recorded value was 693.02 hectares in 2002.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss by dominant driver recorded in Costa Rica?
- The lowest recorded value was 34.52 hectares in 2015.
- How does Costa Rica rank for tree cover loss by dominant driver?
- Costa Rica ranks 92nd out of 186 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss by dominant driver rising or falling in Costa Rica?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Costa Rica data come from?
- The figures come from Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Tree cover loss by dominant driver. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Tree cover loss due to the expansion and intensification of roads, settlements, urban areas, or other built infrastructure.