Tree cover loss from wildfires in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Tree cover loss from wildfires was 172.49 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Tree cover loss from wildfires in Zimbabwe, 2001–2024
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 from wildfires in Zimbabwe is 172.49 hectares, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 20.5% on the previous year and up 213.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss from wildfires in Zimbabwe peaked at 1,410 hectares in 2017 and was at its lowest, 12.48 hectares, in 2008.
That places Zimbabwe 79th out of 152 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 from wildfires in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 83.67 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 23.53 hectares | -71.9% |
| 2003 | 33.44 hectares | +42.1% |
| 2004 | 21.92 hectares | -34.4% |
| 2005 | 54.52 hectares | +148.7% |
| 2006 | 48.81 hectares | -10.5% |
| 2007 | 87.5 hectares | +79.3% |
| 2008 | 12.48 hectares | -85.7% |
| 2009 | 213.64 hectares | +1611.5% |
| 2010 | 13.12 hectares | -93.9% |
| 2011 | 69.92 hectares | +432.9% |
| 2012 | 64.43 hectares | -7.9% |
| 2013 | 137.86 hectares | +114.0% |
| 2014 | 55.03 hectares | -60.1% |
| 2015 | 190.5 hectares | +246.2% |
| 2016 | 284.87 hectares | +49.5% |
| 2017 | 1,410 hectares | +394.9% |
| 2018 | 134.89 hectares | -90.4% |
| 2019 | 579.15 hectares | +329.3% |
| 2020 | 128.52 hectares | -77.8% |
| 2021 | 89.73 hectares | -30.2% |
| 2022 | 272.28 hectares | +203.4% |
| 2023 | 143.11 hectares | -47.4% |
| 2024 | 172.49 hectares | +20.5% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 172.49 hectares is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 169.25 hectares, 1.0× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 172.49 hectares is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 169.25 hectares, 1.0× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Tree cover loss from wildfires in Zimbabwe changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | +1611.5% | 12.48 hectares | 213.64 hectares |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 64.39 hectares | 12.48 hectares | 213.64 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 293.95 hectares | 13.12 hectares | 1,410 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 161.23 hectares | 89.73 hectares | 272.28 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
More reference data data for Zimbabwe
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 58,959 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 58,959 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 58,959 (2026)
- Global number of reported disasters by size, gaps filled 0 events (2024)
- Annual precipitation, annual growth rate 122.78 % change on previous year (2025)
- Free country, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, gaps filled 5 (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 11,077 2010 = 100 (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is tree cover loss from wildfires in Zimbabwe?
- Tree cover loss from wildfires in Zimbabwe was 172.49 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 Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 1,410 hectares in 2017.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss from wildfires recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.48 hectares in 2008.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for tree cover loss from wildfires?
- Zimbabwe ranks 79th out of 152 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss from wildfires rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is up 213.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zimbabwe 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).