Drivers of deforestation in Jamaica
Jamaica: Drivers of deforestation was 50.35 hectares in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Drivers of deforestation in Jamaica, 2001–2023
Source: Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
Jamaica recorded 50.35 hectares for drivers of deforestation in 2023.
That represents a change of up 138.2% on the previous year and down 28.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, drivers of deforestation in Jamaica peaked at 290.57 hectares in 2005 and was at its lowest, 20.63 hectares, in 2021.
Jamaica ranks 97th of 166 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.
Drivers of deforestation in Jamaica, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 56.24 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 72.43 hectares | +28.8% |
| 2003 | 61.83 hectares | -14.6% |
| 2004 | 184.04 hectares | +197.7% |
| 2005 | 290.57 hectares | +57.9% |
| 2006 | 96.13 hectares | -66.9% |
| 2007 | 48.64 hectares | -49.4% |
| 2008 | 114.87 hectares | +136.2% |
| 2009 | 118.17 hectares | +2.9% |
| 2010 | 72.73 hectares | -38.5% |
| 2011 | 119.35 hectares | +64.1% |
| 2012 | 168.44 hectares | +41.1% |
| 2013 | 70.52 hectares | -58.1% |
| 2014 | 86.68 hectares | +22.9% |
| 2015 | 23.72 hectares | -72.6% |
| 2016 | 44.74 hectares | +88.6% |
| 2017 | 60.73 hectares | +35.7% |
| 2018 | 80.24 hectares | +32.1% |
| 2019 | 54.24 hectares | -32.4% |
| 2020 | 39.25 hectares | -27.6% |
| 2021 | 20.63 hectares | -47.4% |
| 2022 | 21.14 hectares | +2.5% |
| 2023 | 50.35 hectares | +138.2% |
Jamaica compared with similar countries
- Jamaica's 50.35 hectares is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 74.69 hectares, 67% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
- Jamaica's 50.35 hectares is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 220.38 hectares, 23% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 115.88 hectares | 48.64 hectares | 290.57 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 78.14 hectares | 23.72 hectares | 168.44 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 32.84 hectares | 20.63 hectares | 50.35 hectares | 4 |
Countries ranked near Jamaica
More environment data for Jamaica
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -2.93 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -3.15 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.284 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.76 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 4.23 % 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 -0.7158 % 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 Jamaica?
- Drivers of deforestation in Jamaica was 50.35 hectares in 2023, according to Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest drivers of deforestation recorded in Jamaica?
- The highest recorded value was 290.57 hectares in 2005.
- What is the lowest drivers of deforestation recorded in Jamaica?
- The lowest recorded value was 20.63 hectares in 2021.
- How does Jamaica rank for drivers of deforestation?
- Jamaica ranks 97th out of 166 countries with data for 2023.
- Is drivers of deforestation rising or falling in Jamaica?
- Over the last ten years it is down 28.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Jamaica 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.