Drivers of deforestation in South Korea
South Korea: Drivers of deforestation was 105.44 hectares in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Drivers of deforestation in South Korea, 2001–2023
Source: Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for drivers of deforestation in South Korea is 105.44 hectares, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 47.8% on the previous year and down 19.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, drivers of deforestation in South Korea peaked at 711.92 hectares in 2008 and was at its lowest, 60.73 hectares, in 2002.
That places South Korea 81st out of 166 countries with data for 2023, putting it 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 South Korea, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 78.52 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 60.73 hectares | -22.7% |
| 2003 | 85.6 hectares | +41.0% |
| 2004 | 361.34 hectares | +322.1% |
| 2005 | 257.33 hectares | -28.8% |
| 2006 | 326.78 hectares | +27.0% |
| 2007 | 228.16 hectares | -30.2% |
| 2008 | 711.92 hectares | +212.0% |
| 2009 | 210.69 hectares | -70.4% |
| 2010 | 201.83 hectares | -4.2% |
| 2011 | 125.75 hectares | -37.7% |
| 2012 | 515.72 hectares | +310.1% |
| 2013 | 131.65 hectares | -74.5% |
| 2014 | 204.41 hectares | +55.3% |
| 2015 | 220.27 hectares | +7.8% |
| 2016 | 265.12 hectares | +20.4% |
| 2017 | 191.85 hectares | -27.6% |
| 2018 | 142.42 hectares | -25.8% |
| 2019 | 170.23 hectares | +19.5% |
| 2020 | 126.44 hectares | -25.7% |
| 2021 | 101.35 hectares | -19.8% |
| 2022 | 71.36 hectares | -29.6% |
| 2023 | 105.44 hectares | +47.8% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 105.44 hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 69.88 hectares, 1.5× the median. (48 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 105.44 hectares is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4,457 hectares, 2% of the median. (21 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Drivers of deforestation in South Korea changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | +322.1% | 85.6 hectares | 361.34 hectares |
| 2012 | +310.1% | 125.75 hectares | 515.72 hectares |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 257.9 hectares | 60.73 hectares | 711.92 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 216.93 hectares | 125.75 hectares | 515.72 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 101.15 hectares | 71.36 hectares | 126.44 hectares | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More environment data for South Korea
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -0.2791 % 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 -2.27 % 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 -0.2415 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), per unit of 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) (Mt CO2e) 1.61 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is drivers of deforestation in South Korea?
- Drivers of deforestation in South Korea was 105.44 hectares in 2023, according to Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest drivers of deforestation recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 711.92 hectares in 2008.
- What is the lowest drivers of deforestation recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 60.73 hectares in 2002.
- How does South Korea rank for drivers of deforestation?
- South Korea ranks 81st out of 166 countries with data for 2023.
- Is drivers of deforestation rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 19.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea 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.