Drivers of deforestation in Mexico
Mexico: Drivers of deforestation was 32,952 hectares in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Drivers of deforestation in Mexico, 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 Mexico is 32,952 hectares, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 62.1% on the previous year and down 56.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, drivers of deforestation in Mexico peaked at 86,860 hectares in 2022 and was at its lowest, 639.34 hectares, in 2020.
Mexico ranks 8th of 166 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Drivers of deforestation in Mexico, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 14,906 hectares | — |
| 2014 | 76,091 hectares | +410.5% |
| 2015 | 37,003 hectares | -51.4% |
| 2016 | 70,308 hectares | +90.0% |
| 2017 | 29,645 hectares | -57.8% |
| 2018 | 27,156 hectares | -8.4% |
| 2019 | 22,291 hectares | -17.9% |
| 2020 | 639.34 hectares | -97.1% |
| 2021 | 11,355 hectares | +1676.1% |
| 2022 | 86,860 hectares | +664.9% |
| 2023 | 32,952 hectares | -62.1% |
Mexico compared with similar countries
- Mexico's 32,952 hectares is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 74.69 hectares, 441.2× the median. (50 countries reporting)
- Mexico's 32,952 hectares is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 220.38 hectares, 149.5× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 14,906 hectares | 14,906 hectares | 14,906 hectares | 1 |
| 2010s | 43,749 hectares | 22,291 hectares | 76,091 hectares | 6 |
| 2020s | 32,951 hectares | 639.34 hectares | 86,860 hectares | 4 |
Countries ranked near Mexico
- 5 Paraguay 48,613 hectares compare
- 6 Democratic Republic of Congo 44,747 hectares compare
- 7 United States 39,492 hectares compare
- 9 Argentina 31,700 hectares compare
- 10 Madagascar 28,080 hectares compare
- 11 China 26,740 hectares compare
More environment data for Mexico
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 0.6859 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 0.6189 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.234 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.62 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.1645 % 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 -0.5194 % 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 Mexico?
- Drivers of deforestation in Mexico was 32,952 hectares in 2023, according to Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest drivers of deforestation recorded in Mexico?
- The highest recorded value was 86,860 hectares in 2022.
- What is the lowest drivers of deforestation recorded in Mexico?
- The lowest recorded value was 639.34 hectares in 2020.
- How does Mexico rank for drivers of deforestation?
- Mexico ranks 8th out of 166 countries with data for 2023.
- Is drivers of deforestation rising or falling in Mexico?
- Over the last ten years it is down 56.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Mexico 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 — 11 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.