Tree cover loss in Ireland
Ireland: Tree cover loss was 7,323 hectares in 2024. ▲ Rising
Tree cover loss in Ireland, 2001–2024
Source: Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2024, tree cover loss in Ireland stood at 7,323 hectares.
That represents a change of up 6.9% on the previous year and up 28.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss in Ireland peaked at 11,454 hectares in 2007 and was at its lowest, 2,232 hectares, in 2003.
That places Ireland 91st out of 197 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 24 years of available data.
Tree cover loss in Ireland, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8,888 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 5,145 hectares | -42.1% |
| 2003 | 2,232 hectares | -56.6% |
| 2004 | 6,672 hectares | +199.0% |
| 2005 | 7,852 hectares | +17.7% |
| 2006 | 5,095 hectares | -35.1% |
| 2007 | 11,454 hectares | +124.8% |
| 2008 | 6,792 hectares | -40.7% |
| 2009 | 7,056 hectares | +3.9% |
| 2010 | 3,748 hectares | -46.9% |
| 2011 | 3,004 hectares | -19.9% |
| 2012 | 5,734 hectares | +90.9% |
| 2013 | 4,727 hectares | -17.5% |
| 2014 | 5,684 hectares | +20.2% |
| 2015 | 4,476 hectares | -21.3% |
| 2016 | 9,379 hectares | +109.5% |
| 2017 | 6,103 hectares | -34.9% |
| 2018 | 8,369 hectares | +37.1% |
| 2019 | 10,315 hectares | +23.3% |
| 2020 | 6,195 hectares | -39.9% |
| 2021 | 8,761 hectares | +41.4% |
| 2022 | 6,739 hectares | -23.1% |
| 2023 | 6,852 hectares | +1.7% |
| 2024 | 7,323 hectares | +6.9% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 7,323 hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 7,323 hectares, 1.0× the median. (65 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 7,323 hectares is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 6,694 hectares, 1.1× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6,798 hectares | 2,232 hectares | 11,454 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 6,154 hectares | 3,004 hectares | 10,315 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 7,174 hectares | 6,195 hectares | 8,761 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
More reference data data for Ireland
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.19 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 4.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0921 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 4.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 4.87 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 3.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.6 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 21.02 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.5015 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is tree cover loss in Ireland?
- Tree cover loss in Ireland was 7,323 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 Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 11,454 hectares in 2007.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,232 hectares in 2003.
- How does Ireland rank for tree cover loss?
- Ireland ranks 91st out of 197 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 28.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Ireland 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.