Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Zambia
Zambia: Tree cover loss by dominant driver was 228.8 hectares in 2024. ▲ Rising
Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Zambia, 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 Zambia stood at 228.8 hectares.
That represents a change of up 46.7% on the previous year and down 41.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss by dominant driver in Zambia peaked at 545.99 hectares in 2009 and was at its lowest, 53.13 hectares, in 2004.
Zambia ranks 59th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 24 years of available data.
Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Zambia, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 126.67 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 261.22 hectares | +106.2% |
| 2003 | 115.43 hectares | -55.8% |
| 2004 | 53.13 hectares | -54.0% |
| 2005 | 168.27 hectares | +216.7% |
| 2006 | 94.98 hectares | -43.6% |
| 2007 | 129.58 hectares | +36.4% |
| 2008 | 184.95 hectares | +42.7% |
| 2009 | 545.99 hectares | +195.2% |
| 2010 | 275.14 hectares | -49.6% |
| 2011 | 306.45 hectares | +11.4% |
| 2012 | 444.87 hectares | +45.2% |
| 2013 | 337.68 hectares | -24.1% |
| 2014 | 389.46 hectares | +15.3% |
| 2015 | 270.82 hectares | -30.5% |
| 2016 | 387.54 hectares | +43.1% |
| 2017 | 470.35 hectares | +21.4% |
| 2018 | 313.12 hectares | -33.4% |
| 2019 | 231.02 hectares | -26.2% |
| 2020 | 217.09 hectares | -6.0% |
| 2021 | 332.96 hectares | +53.4% |
| 2022 | 150.87 hectares | -54.7% |
| 2023 | 156 hectares | +3.4% |
| 2024 | 228.8 hectares | +46.7% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 228.8 hectares is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 49.1 hectares, 4.7× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 228.8 hectares is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 168.49 hectares, 1.4× the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 186.69 hectares | 53.13 hectares | 545.99 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 342.64 hectares | 231.02 hectares | 470.35 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 217.14 hectares | 150.87 hectares | 332.96 hectares | 5 |
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 tree cover loss by dominant driver in Zambia?
- Tree cover loss by dominant driver in Zambia was 228.8 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 545.99 hectares in 2009.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss by dominant driver recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 53.13 hectares in 2004.
- How does Zambia rank for tree cover loss by dominant driver?
- Zambia ranks 59th out of 186 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss by dominant driver rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 41.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Zambia 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 — 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.