Consumption-based deforestation per person in Laos
Laos: Consumption-based deforestation per person was 56.79 square meters in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Consumption-based deforestation per person in Laos, 2005–2023
Source: Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in square meters.
Analysis
Laos recorded 56.79 square meters for consumption-based deforestation per person in 2023. That is the highest value across all 19 years on record.
That represents a change of up 22.8% on the previous year and up 159.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, consumption-based deforestation per person in Laos peaked at 56.79 square meters in 2023 and was at its lowest, 10.99 square meters, in 2006.
That places Laos 3rd out of 178 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Consumption-based deforestation per person in Laos, year by year
| Year | square meters | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 11.78 square meters | — |
| 2006 | 10.99 square meters | -6.8% |
| 2007 | 13.53 square meters | +23.1% |
| 2008 | 13.06 square meters | -3.5% |
| 2009 | 18.56 square meters | +42.1% |
| 2010 | 19.66 square meters | +5.9% |
| 2011 | 18.76 square meters | -4.6% |
| 2012 | 18.54 square meters | -1.2% |
| 2013 | 21.89 square meters | +18.1% |
| 2014 | 20.56 square meters | -6.1% |
| 2015 | 18.21 square meters | -11.4% |
| 2016 | 17.6 square meters | -3.3% |
| 2017 | 17.75 square meters | +0.8% |
| 2018 | 17.89 square meters | +0.8% |
| 2019 | 18.35 square meters | +2.6% |
| 2020 | 25.45 square meters | +38.7% |
| 2021 | 29.76 square meters | +16.9% |
| 2022 | 46.24 square meters | +55.4% |
| 2023 | 56.79 square meters | +22.8% |
Laos compared with similar countries
- Laos's 56.79 square meters is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 2.67 square meters, 21.3× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Laos's 56.79 square meters is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4.83 square meters, 11.8× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 13.58 square meters | 10.99 square meters | 18.56 square meters | 5 |
| 2010s | 18.92 square meters | 17.6 square meters | 21.89 square meters | 10 |
| 2020s | 39.56 square meters | 25.45 square meters | 56.79 square meters | 4 |
Countries ranked near Laos
More environment data for Laos
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -1.77 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -1.51 Percentage change (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.9142 % 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 0.4183 % 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 0 % 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 consumption-based deforestation per person in Laos?
- Consumption-based deforestation per person in Laos was 56.79 square meters in 2023, according to Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest consumption-based deforestation per person recorded in Laos?
- The highest recorded value was 56.79 square meters in 2023.
- What is the lowest consumption-based deforestation per person recorded in Laos?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.99 square meters in 2006.
- How does Laos rank for consumption-based deforestation per person?
- Laos ranks 3rd out of 178 countries with data for 2023.
- Is consumption-based deforestation per person rising or falling in Laos?
- Over the last ten years it is up 159.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Laos data come from?
- The figures come from Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Consumption-based deforestation per person. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 19 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Estimated average deforestation for agricultural and forestry products, per person. This is adjusted for trade, so it reflects deforestation caused by consumption, not domestic production.