Agriculture-driven deforestation in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Agriculture-driven deforestation was 61.89 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Agriculture-driven deforestation in United Kingdom, 2001–2024
Source: Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for agriculture-driven deforestation in United Kingdom is 61.89 hectares, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 54.9% on the previous year and down 65.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, agriculture-driven deforestation in United Kingdom peaked at 3,889 hectares in 2001 and was at its lowest, 39.95 hectares, in 2023.
United Kingdom ranks 117th of 187 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.
Agriculture-driven deforestation in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 3,889 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 1,250 hectares | -67.8% |
| 2003 | 185.64 hectares | -85.2% |
| 2004 | 997.63 hectares | +437.4% |
| 2005 | 529.01 hectares | -47.0% |
| 2006 | 970.1 hectares | +83.4% |
| 2007 | 715.42 hectares | -26.3% |
| 2008 | 373.2 hectares | -47.8% |
| 2009 | 1,020 hectares | +173.3% |
| 2010 | 614.35 hectares | -39.8% |
| 2011 | 310.56 hectares | -49.4% |
| 2012 | 310.33 hectares | -0.1% |
| 2013 | 113.75 hectares | -63.3% |
| 2014 | 178.92 hectares | +57.3% |
| 2015 | 71.45 hectares | -60.1% |
| 2016 | 94.68 hectares | +32.5% |
| 2017 | 74.65 hectares | -21.2% |
| 2018 | 97.67 hectares | +30.8% |
| 2019 | 75.67 hectares | -22.5% |
| 2020 | 55.99 hectares | -26.0% |
| 2021 | 45.9 hectares | -18.0% |
| 2022 | 144.12 hectares | +214.0% |
| 2023 | 39.95 hectares | -72.3% |
| 2024 | 61.89 hectares | +54.9% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 61.89 hectares is below the median for high income countries, which is 66.13 hectares, 94% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 61.89 hectares is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 44.3 hectares, 1.4× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Agriculture-driven deforestation in United Kingdom changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | +437.4% | 185.64 hectares | 997.63 hectares |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1,103 hectares | 185.64 hectares | 3,889 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 194.2 hectares | 71.45 hectares | 614.35 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 69.57 hectares | 39.95 hectares | 144.12 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More environment data for United Kingdom
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -3.13 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -7.25 Percentage change (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -3.47 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate -0.8735 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), annual -1.29 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), per unit of 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is agriculture-driven deforestation in United Kingdom?
- Agriculture-driven deforestation in United Kingdom was 61.89 hectares in 2024, according to Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest agriculture-driven deforestation recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 3,889 hectares in 2001.
- What is the lowest agriculture-driven deforestation recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 39.95 hectares in 2023.
- How does United Kingdom rank for agriculture-driven deforestation?
- United Kingdom ranks 117th out of 187 countries with data for 2024.
- Is agriculture-driven deforestation rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 65.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Agriculture-driven deforestation. 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
Long-term, permanent tree cover loss for small- to large-scale agriculture.