Tree cover loss in Zambia
Zambia: Tree cover loss was 229,226 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Tree cover loss in Zambia, 2001–2024
Source: Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
Zambia recorded 229,226 hectares for tree cover loss in 2024. That is the highest value across all 24 years on record.
That represents a change of up 20.5% on the previous year and up 101.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss in Zambia peaked at 229,226 hectares in 2024 and was at its lowest, 28,140 hectares, in 2004.
That places Zambia 20th out of 197 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Tree cover loss in Zambia, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 29,558 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 45,577 hectares | +54.2% |
| 2003 | 41,539 hectares | -8.9% |
| 2004 | 28,140 hectares | -32.3% |
| 2005 | 56,944 hectares | +102.4% |
| 2006 | 40,152 hectares | -29.5% |
| 2007 | 53,354 hectares | +32.9% |
| 2008 | 65,651 hectares | +23.0% |
| 2009 | 117,111 hectares | +78.4% |
| 2010 | 172,105 hectares | +47.0% |
| 2011 | 59,624 hectares | -65.4% |
| 2012 | 127,842 hectares | +114.4% |
| 2013 | 83,285 hectares | -34.9% |
| 2014 | 114,000 hectares | +36.9% |
| 2015 | 87,011 hectares | -23.7% |
| 2016 | 141,243 hectares | +62.3% |
| 2017 | 162,293 hectares | +14.9% |
| 2018 | 143,822 hectares | -11.4% |
| 2019 | 124,508 hectares | -13.4% |
| 2020 | 162,691 hectares | +30.7% |
| 2021 | 201,078 hectares | +23.6% |
| 2022 | 178,880 hectares | -11.0% |
| 2023 | 190,185 hectares | +6.3% |
| 2024 | 229,226 hectares | +20.5% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 229,226 hectares is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 5,729 hectares, 40.0× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 229,226 hectares is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 7,735 hectares, 29.6× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 53,114 hectares | 28,140 hectares | 117,111 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 121,573 hectares | 59,624 hectares | 172,105 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 192,412 hectares | 162,691 hectares | 229,226 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More reference data data for Zambia
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Global number of reported disasters by size, gaps filled 0 events (2025)
- Annual precipitation, annual growth rate 40.84 % change on previous year (2025)
- Free country, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, gaps filled 4 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Consumer price index 483.32 2010 = 100 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is tree cover loss in Zambia?
- Tree cover loss in Zambia was 229,226 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 229,226 hectares in 2024.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 28,140 hectares in 2004.
- How does Zambia rank for tree cover loss?
- Zambia ranks 20th out of 197 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 101.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia 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.
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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.