Deforestation embedded in trade in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Deforestation embedded in trade was 309.58 hectares in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Deforestation embedded in trade in Sierra Leone, 2005–2023
Source: Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2023, deforestation embedded in trade in Sierra Leone stood at 309.58 hectares.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 158.4% on the previous year and down 48.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, deforestation embedded in trade in Sierra Leone peaked at 2,131 hectares in 2021 and was at its lowest, 50.29 hectares, in 2006.
Sierra Leone ranks 114th of 178 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.
Deforestation embedded in trade in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 209.45 hectares | — |
| 2006 | 50.29 hectares | -76.0% |
| 2007 | 217.27 hectares | +332.0% |
| 2008 | 293.46 hectares | +35.1% |
| 2009 | 170.78 hectares | -41.8% |
| 2010 | 510.72 hectares | +199.1% |
| 2011 | 1,127 hectares | +120.7% |
| 2012 | 959.24 hectares | -14.9% |
| 2013 | 606.17 hectares | -36.8% |
| 2014 | 751.62 hectares | +24.0% |
| 2015 | 824.96 hectares | +9.8% |
| 2016 | 1,043 hectares | +26.4% |
| 2017 | 1,169 hectares | +12.1% |
| 2018 | 434.06 hectares | -62.9% |
| 2019 | 1,670 hectares | +284.7% |
| 2020 | 1,712 hectares | +2.5% |
| 2021 | 2,131 hectares | +24.5% |
| 2022 | 119.82 hectares | -94.4% |
| 2023 | 309.58 hectares | +158.4% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 309.58 hectares is below the median for low income countries, which is 987.78 hectares, 31% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 309.58 hectares is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 315.58 hectares, 98% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 188.25 hectares | 50.29 hectares | 293.46 hectares | 5 |
| 2010s | 909.6 hectares | 434.06 hectares | 1,670 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,068 hectares | 119.82 hectares | 2,131 hectares | 4 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More environment data for Sierra Leone
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -5.4 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -5.39 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.232 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.28 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 1.72 % 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 1.11 % 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 Sierra Leone?
- Deforestation embedded in trade in Sierra Leone was 309.58 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 Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 2,131 hectares in 2021.
- What is the lowest deforestation embedded in trade recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 50.29 hectares in 2006.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for deforestation embedded in trade?
- Sierra Leone ranks 114th out of 178 countries with data for 2023.
- Is deforestation embedded in trade rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 48.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone 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.