Deforestation embedded in trade in Laos
Laos: Deforestation embedded in trade was -5,462 hectares in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Deforestation embedded in trade in Laos, 2005–2023
Source: Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for deforestation embedded in trade in Laos is -5,462 hectares, measured in 2023.
The figure is down 22.6% on the previous year and down 106.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, deforestation embedded in trade in Laos peaked at -1,777 hectares in 2005 and was at its lowest, -10,303 hectares, in 2021.
That places Laos 158th out of 178 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Deforestation embedded in trade in Laos, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | -1,777 hectares | — |
| 2006 | -3,462 hectares | +94.8% |
| 2007 | -2,976 hectares | -14.0% |
| 2008 | -2,524 hectares | -15.2% |
| 2009 | -2,059 hectares | -18.4% |
| 2010 | -2,309 hectares | +12.1% |
| 2011 | -2,465 hectares | +6.8% |
| 2012 | -1,898 hectares | -23.0% |
| 2013 | -2,642 hectares | +39.2% |
| 2014 | -2,443 hectares | -7.6% |
| 2015 | -2,449 hectares | +0.2% |
| 2016 | -3,369 hectares | +37.6% |
| 2017 | -3,324 hectares | -1.3% |
| 2018 | -3,658 hectares | +10.0% |
| 2019 | -4,961 hectares | +35.6% |
| 2020 | -7,515 hectares | +51.5% |
| 2021 | -10,303 hectares | +37.1% |
| 2022 | -4,456 hectares | -56.8% |
| 2023 | -5,462 hectares | +22.6% |
Laos compared with similar countries
- Laos's -5,462 hectares is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 966.34 hectares. (45 countries reporting)
- Laos's -5,462 hectares is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is -332.56 hectares, 16.4× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | -2,560 hectares | -3,462 hectares | -1,777 hectares | 5 |
| 2010s | -2,952 hectares | -4,961 hectares | -1,898 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | -6,934 hectares | -10,303 hectares | -4,456 hectares | 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 deforestation embedded in trade in Laos?
- Deforestation embedded in trade in Laos was -5,462 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 Laos?
- The highest recorded value was -1,777 hectares in 2005.
- What is the lowest deforestation embedded in trade recorded in Laos?
- The lowest recorded value was -10,303 hectares in 2021.
- How does Laos rank for deforestation embedded in trade?
- Laos ranks 158th out of 178 countries with data for 2023.
- Is deforestation embedded in trade rising or falling in Laos?
- Over the last ten years it is down 106.7%. 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 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.