Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Lesotho
Lesotho: Tree cover loss by dominant driver was 0.0668 hectares in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Lesotho, 2001–2021
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 Lesotho is 0.0668 hectares, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
The figure is down 83.3% on the previous year and down 67.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss by dominant driver in Lesotho peaked at 2.03 hectares in 2010 and was at its lowest, 0.0668 hectares, in 2021.
That places Lesotho 181st out of 186 countries with data for 2021, putting it 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 Lesotho, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 0.2003 hectares | — |
| 2006 | 1.15 hectares | +473.2% |
| 2008 | 0.8078 hectares | -29.7% |
| 2009 | 0.0673 hectares | -91.7% |
| 2010 | 2.03 hectares | +2910.5% |
| 2011 | 0.2029 hectares | -90.0% |
| 2012 | 1.35 hectares | +565.6% |
| 2015 | 0.7344 hectares | -45.6% |
| 2017 | 0.471 hectares | -35.9% |
| 2020 | 0.4006 hectares | -15.0% |
| 2021 | 0.0668 hectares | -83.3% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 0.0668 hectares is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 49.1 hectares, 0% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 0.0668 hectares is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 168.49 hectares, 0% of the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.5559 hectares | 0.0673 hectares | 1.15 hectares | 4 |
| 2010s | 0.957 hectares | 0.2029 hectares | 2.03 hectares | 5 |
| 2020s | 0.2337 hectares | 0.0668 hectares | 0.4006 hectares | 2 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
- 178 Somalia 0.0769 hectares compare
- 179 Saint Martin (French Part) 0.0732 hectares compare
- 180 British Virgin Islands 0.0731 hectares compare
- 182 Botswana 0 hectares compare
- 182 Burkina Faso 0 hectares
- 182 Chad 0 hectares compare
- 182 Iraq 0 hectares compare
- 182 Mali 0 hectares
More reference data data for Lesotho
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0331 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.5388 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 0.582 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0101 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 0.582 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.111 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.1115 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 2.48 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 2.77 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0549 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is tree cover loss by dominant driver in Lesotho?
- Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Lesotho was 0.0668 hectares in 2021, 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 Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 2.03 hectares in 2010.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss by dominant driver recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0668 hectares in 2021.
- How does Lesotho rank for tree cover loss by dominant driver?
- Lesotho ranks 181st out of 186 countries with data for 2021.
- Is tree cover loss by dominant driver rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 67.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 11 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.