Indonesia vs South Africa: Domestic forest change vs imported deforestation
Indonesia
81,480
in 2025
South Africa
87,566
in 2025
Indonesia rank
7th
South Africa rank
5th
Domestic forest change vs imported deforestation over time
- Indonesia
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 87,566 against 81,480 in Indonesia, a difference of 6,086.
That makes South Africa's figure about 1.1 times Indonesia's.
The two have swapped places 4 times across 35 shared years of data; in 1991 it was South Africa ahead.
Indonesia ranks 7th and South Africa ranks 5th of 229 countries.
Across the 4 decades both report, Indonesia averaged higher in 1 and South Africa in 3.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Indonesia | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | -2.44 million | 87,568 | 2.53 million | South Africa |
| 2000s | 147,435 | 87,568 | 59,867 | Indonesia |
| 2010s | -41,544 | 87,567 | 129,112 | South Africa |
| 2020s | 85,700 | 87,566 | 1,866 | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher domestic forest change vs imported deforestation, Indonesia or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 87,566 against 81,480 in Indonesia as of 2025.
- What is the difference in domestic forest change vs imported deforestation between Indonesia and South Africa?
- 6,086, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Indonesia and South Africa?
- 35 years are reported by both, from 1991 to 2025.
- How do Indonesia and South Africa rank globally for domestic forest change vs imported deforestation?
- Indonesia ranks 7th and South Africa ranks 5th of 229 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Domestic forest change vs imported deforestation. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.