Annual change in forest area in Western Sahara
Western Sahara: Annual change in forest area was -798.01 hectares in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Annual change in forest area in Western Sahara, 1991–2025
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for annual change in forest area in Western Sahara is -798.01 hectares, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 275.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual change in forest area in Western Sahara peaked at 454 hectares in 2011 and was at its lowest, -6,591 hectares, in 1991.
Western Sahara ranks 166th of 235 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Annual change in forest area in Western Sahara, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | -6,591 hectares | — |
| 1992 | -6,591 hectares | -0.0% |
| 1993 | -6,591 hectares | -0.0% |
| 1994 | -6,591 hectares | -0.0% |
| 1995 | -6,591 hectares | -0.0% |
| 1996 | -6,591 hectares | -0.0% |
| 1997 | -6,591 hectares | -0.0% |
| 1998 | -6,591 hectares | -0.0% |
| 1999 | -6,591 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2000 | -6,591 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2001 | -231 hectares | -96.5% |
| 2002 | -231 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2003 | -231 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2004 | -231 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2005 | -231 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2006 | -231 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2007 | -231 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2008 | -231 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2009 | -231 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2010 | -231 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2011 | 454 hectares | -296.5% |
| 2012 | 454 hectares | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 454 hectares | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 454 hectares | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 454 hectares | +0.0% |
| 2016 | -1,258 hectares | -377.1% |
| 2017 | -1,258 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2018 | -1,258 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2019 | -1,258 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2020 | -1,258 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2021 | -798.01 hectares | -36.6% |
| 2022 | -798.01 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2023 | -798.01 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2024 | -798.01 hectares | -0.0% |
| 2025 | -798.01 hectares | -0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | -6,591 hectares | -6,591 hectares | -6,591 hectares | 9 |
| 2000s | -867 hectares | -6,591 hectares | -231 hectares | 10 |
| 2010s | -299.3 hectares | -1,258 hectares | 454 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | -874.68 hectares | -1,258 hectares | -798.01 hectares | 6 |
Countries ranked near Western Sahara
- 163 Namibia -644.04 hectares compare
- 164 Algeria -674 hectares compare
- 165 Solomon Islands -734.03 hectares compare
- 167 East Timor -848 hectares compare
- 168 Bangladesh -987.99 hectares compare
- 169 Eswatini -1,500 hectares compare
More environment data for Western Sahara
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -62.29 Percentage change (2025)
- Temperature change 1.89 °C (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.503 °C (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -21.2 Percentage change (2025)
- Land area — Area 26,600 1000 ha (2024)
- Exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -52.95 Percentage change (2024)
- Country area — Area 26,600 1000 ha (2024)
- Pesticides (total) — Export value 37.78 1000 USD (2024)
- Pesticides (total) — Import value 62.35 1000 USD (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual change in forest area in Western Sahara?
- Annual change in forest area in Western Sahara was -798.01 hectares in 2025, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual change in forest area recorded in Western Sahara?
- The highest recorded value was 454 hectares in 2011.
- What is the lowest annual change in forest area recorded in Western Sahara?
- The lowest recorded value was -6,591 hectares in 1991.
- How does Western Sahara rank for annual change in forest area?
- Western Sahara ranks 166th out of 235 countries with data for 2025.
- Is annual change in forest area rising or falling in Western Sahara?
- Over the last ten years it is down 275.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Western Sahara data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Annual change in forest area. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Net change in forest area measures forest expansion (the sum of afforestation and natural expansion) minus deforestation.