Deforestation: 11 facts you need to know
Globally, forests are under threat from agricultural expansion, logging, mining and more. Large-scale efforts are needed to protect these ecosystems and the benefits they provide.
A recently deforested landscape in North Sumatra (2014-08-25) by Conservation International/photo by Tory ReadConservation International
1. One Belgium, every year
According to satellite data, from 2002 through 2019, global tropical forest loss averaged 3.36 million hectares (8.3 million acres) a year — an area larger than Belgium.
Deforestation in Tapajós National Forest, Pará, Brazil (2019-11-21) by Flavio FornerConservation International
2. Half gone
More than half the world’s tropical forests have been destroyed since the 1960s.
Deforestation in Tapajós National Forest, Pará, Brazil (2019-11-19) by Flavio FornerConservation International
3. Every six seconds
In 2019, the world lost an entire soccer field worth of primary rainforest every six seconds.
Landscape near Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil (2013-02-23) by Kate Evans/CIFORConservation International
4. Brazil under siege
Between 2001 and 2019, Brazil lost 565,000 square kilometers (218,148 square miles) of tree cover — an area larger than the state of California — to deforestation.
Forest clearing in Ghana (2014-03-31) by Benjamin DrummondConservation International
5. 60% loss
Ghana saw a 60 percent spike in the loss of its primary forests between 2017 and 2018 — more than any other tropical country.
Cattle in Ghana (2014-03-28) by Benjamin DrummondConservation International
6. 40% due to agriculture
Commercial agriculture — such as cattle ranching, soy cultivation and oil palm plantations — drives 40 percent of deforestation worldwide. Mining, infrastructure and urbanization are also key culprits.
Harvesting crops in Indonesia (2016-02-26) by Jessica ScrantonConservation International
7. 45 million jobs
Globally, the formal forest sector provides 45 million jobs and about US$ 580 billion in labor income. Estimates are likely much higher if the informal forest sector is included.
Coffee pruning in Peru (2011-02-06) by Conservation International/photo by Carmen NoriegaConservation International
8. 1.6 billion people
Deforestation impacts 1.6 billion rural people worldwide who rely on forests for their livelihoods — most live in extreme poverty.
East Nimba Nature Reserve forest in Liberia (2013-07-22) by Conservation International/photo by Bailey EvansConservation International
9. 12% of emissions
Forests release carbon dioxide when they are cleared or burnt. About 12 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from deforestation — roughly equivalent to emissions from all the cars and trucks on Earth.
Farmers in Indonesia (2016-02-25) by Jessica ScrantonConservation International
10. Increasing pressure
By 2050, the global demand for food could double. Using existing farmland more efficiently could feed more people without clearing additional forests and wetlands.
Aerial view of Sovi Basin, Fiji (2012-07-25) by Conservation International/photo by Haroldo CastroConservation International
11. What are the effects of deforestation?
Forests are vital for food, water and livelihoods — and they affect you, whether you know it or not.
Stand up for forests
To see a full list of citations for the facts in this story and learn how you can help stop deforestation, visit us at Conservation.org/deforestation.
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