Drivers of deforestation in Ghana
Ghana: Drivers of deforestation was 12,186 hectares in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Drivers of deforestation in Ghana, 2004–2023
Source: Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2023, drivers of deforestation in Ghana stood at 12,186 hectares.
The figure is down 7.1% on the previous year and down 64.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, drivers of deforestation in Ghana peaked at 45,491 hectares in 2018 and was at its lowest, 294.44 hectares, in 2006.
Ghana ranks 21st 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 Ghana, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 3,582 hectares | — |
| 2006 | 294.44 hectares | -91.8% |
| 2008 | 3,048 hectares | +935.2% |
| 2017 | 34,559 hectares | +1033.8% |
| 2018 | 45,491 hectares | +31.6% |
| 2019 | 17,906 hectares | -60.6% |
| 2020 | 11,772 hectares | -34.3% |
| 2021 | 11,672 hectares | -0.8% |
| 2022 | 13,114 hectares | +12.3% |
| 2023 | 12,186 hectares | -7.1% |
Ghana compared with similar countries
- Ghana's 12,186 hectares is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 225.28 hectares, 54.1× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Ghana's 12,186 hectares is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 751.37 hectares, 16.2× the median. (43 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 2,308 hectares | 294.44 hectares | 3,582 hectares | 3 |
| 2010s | 32,652 hectares | 17,906 hectares | 45,491 hectares | 3 |
| 2020s | 12,186 hectares | 11,672 hectares | 13,114 hectares | 4 |
Countries ranked near Ghana
More environment data for Ghana
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -13.57 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -11.89 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.26 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.34 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 2.72 % 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 0.8796 % 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 Ghana?
- Drivers of deforestation in Ghana was 12,186 hectares in 2023, according to Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest drivers of deforestation recorded in Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 45,491 hectares in 2018.
- What is the lowest drivers of deforestation recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 294.44 hectares in 2006.
- How does Ghana rank for drivers of deforestation?
- Ghana ranks 21st out of 166 countries with data for 2023.
- Is drivers of deforestation rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 64.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ghana 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 — 10 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.