Tree cover loss in Spain
Spain: Tree cover loss was 77,940 hectares in 2024. ▲ Rising
Tree cover loss in Spain, 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 Spain is 77,940 hectares, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 9.2% on the previous year and up 5.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss in Spain peaked at 137,666 hectares in 2022 and was at its lowest, 22,908 hectares, in 2003.
That places Spain 45th out of 197 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 24 years of available data.
Tree cover loss in Spain, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 32,321 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 37,159 hectares | +15.0% |
| 2003 | 22,908 hectares | -38.4% |
| 2004 | 66,611 hectares | +190.8% |
| 2005 | 48,526 hectares | -27.2% |
| 2006 | 72,143 hectares | +48.7% |
| 2007 | 59,675 hectares | -17.3% |
| 2008 | 43,944 hectares | -26.4% |
| 2009 | 66,953 hectares | +52.4% |
| 2010 | 55,483 hectares | -17.1% |
| 2011 | 39,061 hectares | -29.6% |
| 2012 | 79,969 hectares | +104.7% |
| 2013 | 63,486 hectares | -20.6% |
| 2014 | 73,908 hectares | +16.4% |
| 2015 | 65,232 hectares | -11.7% |
| 2016 | 107,291 hectares | +64.5% |
| 2017 | 98,197 hectares | -8.5% |
| 2018 | 119,388 hectares | +21.6% |
| 2019 | 70,857 hectares | -40.7% |
| 2020 | 101,721 hectares | +43.6% |
| 2021 | 85,582 hectares | -15.9% |
| 2022 | 137,666 hectares | +60.9% |
| 2023 | 85,829 hectares | -37.7% |
| 2024 | 77,940 hectares | -9.2% |
Spain compared with similar countries
- Spain's 77,940 hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 7,323 hectares, 10.6× the median. (65 countries reporting)
- Spain's 77,940 hectares is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 6,694 hectares, 11.6× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 50,027 hectares | 22,908 hectares | 72,143 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 77,287 hectares | 39,061 hectares | 119,388 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 97,748 hectares | 77,940 hectares | 137,666 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Spain
More reference data data for Spain
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.18 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 2.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 11.76 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.898 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 11.76 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 10.67 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 6.03 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 11.06 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 52.4 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 4.89 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is tree cover loss in Spain?
- Tree cover loss in Spain was 77,940 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 Spain?
- The highest recorded value was 137,666 hectares in 2022.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss recorded in Spain?
- The lowest recorded value was 22,908 hectares in 2003.
- How does Spain rank for tree cover loss?
- Spain ranks 45th out of 197 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss rising or falling in Spain?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Spain 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.