Tree cover loss from wildfires in Zambia
Zambia: Tree cover loss from wildfires was 3,223 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Tree cover loss from wildfires 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 from wildfires in Zambia stood at 3,223 hectares.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 203.1% on the previous year and up 45.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss from wildfires in Zambia peaked at 9,026 hectares in 2016 and was at its lowest, 286.18 hectares, in 2018.
That places Zambia 35th out of 152 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Tree cover loss from wildfires in Zambia, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 524.73 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 660.09 hectares | +25.8% |
| 2003 | 510.06 hectares | -22.7% |
| 2004 | 911.68 hectares | +78.7% |
| 2005 | 817.84 hectares | -10.3% |
| 2006 | 2,076 hectares | +153.8% |
| 2007 | 1,114 hectares | -46.3% |
| 2008 | 625.22 hectares | -43.9% |
| 2009 | 794.7 hectares | +27.1% |
| 2010 | 768.23 hectares | -3.3% |
| 2011 | 297.41 hectares | -61.3% |
| 2012 | 688.87 hectares | +131.6% |
| 2013 | 2,504 hectares | +263.4% |
| 2014 | 2,210 hectares | -11.7% |
| 2015 | 3,813 hectares | +72.6% |
| 2016 | 9,026 hectares | +136.7% |
| 2017 | 756.07 hectares | -91.6% |
| 2018 | 286.18 hectares | -62.1% |
| 2019 | 1,634 hectares | +470.9% |
| 2020 | 445.39 hectares | -72.7% |
| 2021 | 1,842 hectares | +313.5% |
| 2022 | 1,206 hectares | -34.5% |
| 2023 | 1,063 hectares | -11.8% |
| 2024 | 3,223 hectares | +203.1% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 3,223 hectares is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 169.25 hectares, 19.0× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 3,223 hectares is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 169.25 hectares, 19.0× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 892.71 hectares | 510.06 hectares | 2,076 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 2,198 hectares | 286.18 hectares | 9,026 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,556 hectares | 445.39 hectares | 3,223 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 from wildfires in Zambia?
- Tree cover loss from wildfires in Zambia was 3,223 hectares in 2024, according to Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest tree cover loss from wildfires recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 9,026 hectares in 2016.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss from wildfires recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 286.18 hectares in 2018.
- How does Zambia rank for tree cover loss from wildfires?
- Zambia ranks 35th out of 152 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss from wildfires rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 45.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- 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 from wildfires. 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 fire with no visible human conversion or agricultural activity afterward. Fires may be started by natural causes (e.g. lightning) or may be related to human activities (accidental or deliberate).