Tree cover loss in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Tree cover loss was 130,659 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Tree cover loss in Sierra Leone, 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 in Sierra Leone is 130,659 hectares, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 31.1% on the previous year and down 19.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss in Sierra Leone peaked at 232,739 hectares in 2015 and was at its lowest, 4,010 hectares, in 2004.
That places Sierra Leone 33rd out of 197 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 in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 18,570 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 15,294 hectares | -17.6% |
| 2003 | 9,093 hectares | -40.5% |
| 2004 | 4,010 hectares | -55.9% |
| 2005 | 6,864 hectares | +71.2% |
| 2006 | 28,512 hectares | +315.4% |
| 2007 | 21,868 hectares | -23.3% |
| 2008 | 20,916 hectares | -4.4% |
| 2009 | 30,530 hectares | +46.0% |
| 2010 | 8,770 hectares | -71.3% |
| 2011 | 33,907 hectares | +286.6% |
| 2012 | 16,341 hectares | -51.8% |
| 2013 | 170,246 hectares | +941.8% |
| 2014 | 161,487 hectares | -5.1% |
| 2015 | 232,739 hectares | +44.1% |
| 2016 | 177,674 hectares | -23.7% |
| 2017 | 232,730 hectares | +31.0% |
| 2018 | 188,195 hectares | -19.1% |
| 2019 | 175,455 hectares | -6.8% |
| 2020 | 154,626 hectares | -11.9% |
| 2021 | 113,017 hectares | -26.9% |
| 2022 | 119,914 hectares | +6.1% |
| 2023 | 99,678 hectares | -16.9% |
| 2024 | 130,659 hectares | +31.1% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 130,659 hectares is above the median for low income countries, which is 7,400 hectares, 17.7× the median. (24 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 130,659 hectares is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 7,735 hectares, 16.9× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Tree cover loss in Sierra Leone 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | +941.8% | 16,341 hectares | 170,246 hectares |
| 2006 | +315.4% | 6,864 hectares | 28,512 hectares |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 17,295 hectares | 4,010 hectares | 30,530 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 139,754 hectares | 8,770 hectares | 232,739 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 123,579 hectares | 99,678 hectares | 154,626 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More reference data data for Sierra Leone
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0238 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.4498 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 0.5935 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.12 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 0.5935 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0797 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.044 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.91 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 2.72 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.6534 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is tree cover loss in Sierra Leone?
- Tree cover loss in Sierra Leone was 130,659 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 Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 232,739 hectares in 2015.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 4,010 hectares in 2004.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for tree cover loss?
- Sierra Leone ranks 33rd out of 197 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 19.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone 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.