Tree cover loss in Italy
Italy: Tree cover loss was 32,825 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Tree cover loss in Italy, 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 Italy stood at 32,825 hectares.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 26.4% on the previous year and up 69.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss in Italy peaked at 59,395 hectares in 2019 and was at its lowest, 3,412 hectares, in 2003.
Italy ranks 64th of 197 countries on this measure, 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 in Italy, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 9,223 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 10,429 hectares | +13.1% |
| 2003 | 3,412 hectares | -67.3% |
| 2004 | 16,492 hectares | +383.4% |
| 2005 | 10,439 hectares | -36.7% |
| 2006 | 8,492 hectares | -18.7% |
| 2007 | 11,199 hectares | +31.9% |
| 2008 | 14,668 hectares | +31.0% |
| 2009 | 14,184 hectares | -3.3% |
| 2010 | 15,393 hectares | +8.5% |
| 2011 | 11,092 hectares | -27.9% |
| 2012 | 20,907 hectares | +88.5% |
| 2013 | 15,162 hectares | -27.5% |
| 2014 | 19,374 hectares | +27.8% |
| 2015 | 13,919 hectares | -28.2% |
| 2016 | 24,390 hectares | +75.2% |
| 2017 | 33,706 hectares | +38.2% |
| 2018 | 38,547 hectares | +14.4% |
| 2019 | 59,395 hectares | +54.1% |
| 2020 | 28,032 hectares | -52.8% |
| 2021 | 28,075 hectares | +0.2% |
| 2022 | 28,496 hectares | +1.5% |
| 2023 | 44,581 hectares | +56.5% |
| 2024 | 32,825 hectares | -26.4% |
Italy compared with similar countries
- Italy's 32,825 hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 7,323 hectares, 4.5× the median. (65 countries reporting)
- Italy's 32,825 hectares is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 6,694 hectares, 4.9× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Tree cover loss in Italy 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 | +383.4% | 3,412 hectares | 16,492 hectares |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 10,949 hectares | 3,412 hectares | 16,492 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 25,188 hectares | 11,092 hectares | 59,395 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 32,402 hectares | 28,032 hectares | 44,581 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Italy
More reference data data for Italy
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 2.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.48 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 8.94 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.927 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 8.94 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 8.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 5.21 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 6.51 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 41.74 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 5.05 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is tree cover loss in Italy?
- Tree cover loss in Italy was 32,825 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 Italy?
- The highest recorded value was 59,395 hectares in 2019.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss recorded in Italy?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,412 hectares in 2003.
- How does Italy rank for tree cover loss?
- Italy ranks 64th out of 197 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss rising or falling in Italy?
- Over the last ten years it is up 69.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Italy 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.