Deforestation embedded in trade in Kenya
Kenya: Deforestation embedded in trade was 3,565 hectares in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Deforestation embedded in trade in Kenya, 2005–2023
Source: Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2023, deforestation embedded in trade in Kenya stood at 3,565 hectares.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 6.6% on the previous year and up 63.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, deforestation embedded in trade in Kenya peaked at 8,940 hectares in 2021 and was at its lowest, -4,147 hectares, in 2006.
Kenya ranks 42nd of 178 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Deforestation embedded in trade in Kenya, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | -3,601 hectares | — |
| 2006 | -4,147 hectares | +15.1% |
| 2007 | -1,892 hectares | -54.4% |
| 2008 | -1,983 hectares | +4.8% |
| 2009 | -1,730 hectares | -12.8% |
| 2010 | -4,052 hectares | +134.3% |
| 2011 | 4,353 hectares | -207.4% |
| 2012 | 3,935 hectares | -9.6% |
| 2013 | 2,176 hectares | -44.7% |
| 2014 | 4,335 hectares | +99.2% |
| 2015 | 4,368 hectares | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 3,566 hectares | -18.4% |
| 2017 | 7,401 hectares | +107.5% |
| 2018 | 4,895 hectares | -33.9% |
| 2019 | 5,665 hectares | +15.7% |
| 2020 | 4,554 hectares | -19.6% |
| 2021 | 8,940 hectares | +96.3% |
| 2022 | 3,344 hectares | -62.6% |
| 2023 | 3,565 hectares | +6.6% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 3,565 hectares is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 966.34 hectares, 3.7× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 3,565 hectares is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 315.58 hectares, 11.3× the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | -2,671 hectares | -4,147 hectares | -1,730 hectares | 5 |
| 2010s | 3,664 hectares | -4,052 hectares | 7,401 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 5,101 hectares | 3,344 hectares | 8,940 hectares | 4 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
More environment data for Kenya
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -8.08 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -4.73 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.27 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.12 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 2.25 % 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 2.87 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is deforestation embedded in trade in Kenya?
- Deforestation embedded in trade in Kenya was 3,565 hectares in 2023, according to Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest deforestation embedded in trade recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 8,940 hectares in 2021.
- What is the lowest deforestation embedded in trade recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was -4,147 hectares in 2006.
- How does Kenya rank for deforestation embedded in trade?
- Kenya ranks 42nd out of 178 countries with data for 2023.
- Is deforestation embedded in trade rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 63.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kenya data come from?
- The figures come from Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Deforestation embedded in trade. 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
Deforestation driven by imported goods minus exported goods from agriculture and forest plantations. Net importers of deforestation are countries who contribute to net deforestation in other countries – the deforestation that they cause in other countries is given as a positive value.