Tree cover loss in South Africa
South Africa: Tree cover loss was 39,484 hectares in 2024. ▼ Falling
Tree cover loss in South Africa, 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 South Africa stood at 39,484 hectares.
The figure is up 33.6% on the previous year and down 43.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss in South Africa peaked at 104,746 hectares in 2006 and was at its lowest, 29,549 hectares, in 2023.
South Africa ranks 59th of 197 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 24 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 77,071 hectares | 46,814 hectares | 104,746 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 71,763 hectares | 55,916 hectares | 93,924 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 44,756 hectares | 29,549 hectares | 62,003 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.191 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 1.36 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.6318 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.18 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.2153 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 209.92 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is tree cover loss in South Africa?
- Tree cover loss in South Africa was 39,484 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 104,746 hectares in 2006.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 29,549 hectares in 2023.
- How does South Africa rank for tree cover loss?
- South Africa ranks 59th out of 197 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 43.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa 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.