Drivers of deforestation in Central African Republic
Central African Republic: Drivers of deforestation was 3,096 hectares in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Drivers of deforestation in Central African Republic, 2001–2023
Source: Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2023, drivers of deforestation in Central African Republic stood at 3,096 hectares.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 47.4% on the previous year and up 269.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, drivers of deforestation in Central African Republic peaked at 7,017 hectares in 2002 and was at its lowest, 48.21 hectares, in 2015.
Central African Republic ranks 38th of 166 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Drivers of deforestation in Central African Republic, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 6,300 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 7,017 hectares | +11.4% |
| 2003 | 3,661 hectares | -47.8% |
| 2004 | 3,907 hectares | +6.7% |
| 2005 | 4,600 hectares | +17.8% |
| 2006 | 5,323 hectares | +15.7% |
| 2007 | 4,346 hectares | -18.4% |
| 2008 | 3,903 hectares | -10.2% |
| 2009 | 2,578 hectares | -34.0% |
| 2010 | 1,529 hectares | -40.7% |
| 2011 | 1,113 hectares | -27.2% |
| 2012 | 1,095 hectares | -1.6% |
| 2013 | 837.57 hectares | -23.5% |
| 2014 | 1,854 hectares | +121.4% |
| 2015 | 48.21 hectares | -97.4% |
| 2016 | 142.07 hectares | +194.7% |
| 2017 | 377.49 hectares | +165.7% |
| 2018 | 543.74 hectares | +44.0% |
| 2019 | 2,301 hectares | +323.1% |
| 2020 | 3,022 hectares | +31.4% |
| 2021 | 4,457 hectares | +47.5% |
| 2022 | 2,100 hectares | -52.9% |
| 2023 | 3,096 hectares | +47.4% |
Central African Republic compared with similar countries
- Central African Republic's 3,096 hectares is above the median for low income countries, which is 550.07 hectares, 5.6× the median. (22 countries reporting)
- Central African Republic's 3,096 hectares is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 751.37 hectares, 4.1× the median. (43 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 4,626 hectares | 2,578 hectares | 7,017 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 984.01 hectares | 48.21 hectares | 2,301 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 3,169 hectares | 2,100 hectares | 4,457 hectares | 4 |
Countries ranked near Central African Republic
More environment data for Central African Republic
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -17.69 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -17.75 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.218 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.3 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 5.22 % 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 1.2 % 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 drivers of deforestation in Central African Republic?
- Drivers of deforestation in Central African Republic was 3,096 hectares in 2023, according to Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest drivers of deforestation recorded in Central African Republic?
- The highest recorded value was 7,017 hectares in 2002.
- What is the lowest drivers of deforestation recorded in Central African Republic?
- The lowest recorded value was 48.21 hectares in 2015.
- How does Central African Republic rank for drivers of deforestation?
- Central African Republic ranks 38th out of 166 countries with data for 2023.
- Is drivers of deforestation rising or falling in Central African Republic?
- Over the last ten years it is up 269.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Central African Republic data come from?
- The figures come from Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Drivers of deforestation. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 23 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Estimates of commodity-driven deforestation, measured in hectares per year. This includes deforestation caused by the production of agricultural products and forestry, which account for approximately 90% of the world's deforestation.