Tree cover loss in Germany
Germany: Tree cover loss was 89,432 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Tree cover loss in Germany, 2001–2024
Source: Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
Germany recorded 89,432 hectares for tree cover loss in 2024.
That represents a change of down 27.1% on the previous year and up 331.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss in Germany peaked at 201,836 hectares in 2021 and was at its lowest, 6,308 hectares, in 2003.
Germany ranks 41st of 197 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Tree cover loss in Germany, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 14,648 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 14,936 hectares | +2.0% |
| 2003 | 6,308 hectares | -57.8% |
| 2004 | 44,276 hectares | +601.9% |
| 2005 | 39,081 hectares | -11.7% |
| 2006 | 42,058 hectares | +7.6% |
| 2007 | 92,803 hectares | +120.7% |
| 2008 | 60,994 hectares | -34.3% |
| 2009 | 28,320 hectares | -53.6% |
| 2010 | 74,774 hectares | +164.0% |
| 2011 | 33,742 hectares | -54.9% |
| 2012 | 25,468 hectares | -24.5% |
| 2013 | 15,181 hectares | -40.4% |
| 2014 | 20,718 hectares | +36.5% |
| 2015 | 12,785 hectares | -38.3% |
| 2016 | 26,582 hectares | +107.9% |
| 2017 | 32,628 hectares | +22.7% |
| 2018 | 51,988 hectares | +59.3% |
| 2019 | 107,801 hectares | +107.4% |
| 2020 | 186,484 hectares | +73.0% |
| 2021 | 201,836 hectares | +8.2% |
| 2022 | 86,169 hectares | -57.3% |
| 2023 | 122,663 hectares | +42.4% |
| 2024 | 89,432 hectares | -27.1% |
Germany compared with similar countries
- Germany's 89,432 hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 7,323 hectares, 12.2× the median. (65 countries reporting)
- Germany's 89,432 hectares is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 6,694 hectares, 13.4× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Tree cover loss in Germany 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | +601.9% | 6,308 hectares | 44,276 hectares |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 38,158 hectares | 6,308 hectares | 92,803 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 40,167 hectares | 12,785 hectares | 107,801 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 137,317 hectares | 86,169 hectares | 201,836 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Germany
More reference data data for Germany
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 4.6 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 16.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.94 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 16.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 15.41 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 9.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.87 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 80.38 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 10.56 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is tree cover loss in Germany?
- Tree cover loss in Germany was 89,432 hectares in 2024, according to Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest tree cover loss recorded in Germany?
- The highest recorded value was 201,836 hectares in 2021.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss recorded in Germany?
- The lowest recorded value was 6,308 hectares in 2003.
- How does Germany rank for tree cover loss?
- Germany ranks 41st out of 197 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss rising or falling in Germany?
- Over the last ten years it is up 331.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Germany 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. 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 driven by all causes.