Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Ireland

Ireland: Tree cover loss by dominant driver was 3.71 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
3.71 hectares
Change on year
up 39.8%
World rank
148th
of 186 countries
All-time high
80.65 hectares
in 2007
All-time low
2.23 hectares
in 2022
Years of data
24
2001–2024

Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Ireland, 2001–2024

0204060802001201220242001: 79.8 hectares2002: 27.1 hectares2003: 5.4 hectares2004: 32.8 hectares2005: 32.5 hectares2006: 33.1 hectares2007: 80.7 hectares2008: 11.2 hectares2009: 14.8 hectares2010: 8.2 hectares2011: 6.5 hectares2012: 3.2 hectares2013: 8.5 hectares2014: 3.6 hectares2015: 2.6 hectares2016: 13.3 hectares2017: 57 hectares2018: 5.7 hectares2019: 9 hectares2020: 2.7 hectares2021: 10.3 hectares2022: 2.2 hectares2023: 2.7 hectares2024: 3.7 hectares

Source: Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.

Analysis

The most recent figure for tree cover loss by dominant driver in Ireland is 3.71 hectares, measured in 2024.

The figure is up 39.8% on the previous year and up 4.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, tree cover loss by dominant driver in Ireland peaked at 80.65 hectares in 2007 and was at its lowest, 2.23 hectares, in 2022.

Ireland ranks 148th of 186 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Ireland, year by year

Annual values for Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Ireland, 2001 to 2024.
Year hectares Change
2001 79.79 hectares
2002 27.11 hectares -66.0%
2003 5.39 hectares -80.1%
2004 32.78 hectares +507.8%
2005 32.46 hectares -1.0%
2006 33.12 hectares +2.0%
2007 80.65 hectares +143.6%
2008 11.15 hectares -86.2%
2009 14.83 hectares +32.9%
2010 8.23 hectares -44.5%
2011 6.45 hectares -21.6%
2012 3.16 hectares -51.0%
2013 8.5 hectares +168.8%
2014 3.56 hectares -58.1%
2015 2.59 hectares -27.3%
2016 13.25 hectares +411.8%
2017 57.04 hectares +330.3%
2018 5.73 hectares -89.9%
2019 8.97 hectares +56.5%
2020 2.67 hectares -70.3%
2021 10.29 hectares +286.1%
2022 2.23 hectares -78.4%
2023 2.66 hectares +19.3%
2024 3.71 hectares +39.8%

Ireland compared with similar countries

  • Ireland's 3.71 hectares is below the median for high income countries, which is 97.53 hectares, 4% of the median. (63 countries reporting)
  • Ireland's 3.71 hectares is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 97.53 hectares, 4% of the median. (49 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 35.25 hectares 5.39 hectares 80.65 hectares 9
2010s 11.75 hectares 2.59 hectares 57.04 hectares 10
2020s 4.31 hectares 2.23 hectares 10.29 hectares 5

Countries ranked near Ireland

  1. 145 Israel 4.48 hectares compare
  2. 146 Egypt 4.29 hectares compare
  3. 147 Guadeloupe 3.77 hectares compare
  4. 149 Armenia 3.57 hectares compare
  5. 150 Benin 3.36 hectares compare
  6. 151 Senegal 2.86 hectares compare

See the full ranking of 186 places →

More reference data data for Ireland

All data for Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is tree cover loss by dominant driver in Ireland?
Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Ireland was 3.71 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 Ireland?
The highest recorded value was 80.65 hectares in 2007.
What is the lowest tree cover loss by dominant driver recorded in Ireland?
The lowest recorded value was 2.23 hectares in 2022.
How does Ireland rank for tree cover loss by dominant driver?
Ireland ranks 148th out of 186 countries with data for 2024.
Is tree cover loss by dominant driver rising or falling in Ireland?
Over the last ten years it is up 4.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Ireland 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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Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Ireland. Statizoid, drawing on Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Retrieved 22 September 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/stat/tree-cover-loss-by-dominant-driver/ireland/

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About this data

Indicator
Tree cover loss by dominant driver
Unit
hectares
Source
Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
186 places, 4,195 data points, 2001–2024
Last refreshed

Tree cover loss due to the expansion and intensification of roads, settlements, urban areas, or other built infrastructure.