Drivers of deforestation in Panama
Panama: Drivers of deforestation was 566.52 hectares in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Drivers of deforestation in Panama, 2007–2023
Source: Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for drivers of deforestation in Panama is 566.52 hectares, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 76.3% on the previous year and down 83.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, drivers of deforestation in Panama peaked at 3,660 hectares in 2012 and was at its lowest, 321.27 hectares, in 2022.
Panama ranks 56th 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 Panama, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 467.09 hectares | — |
| 2008 | 1,541 hectares | +229.9% |
| 2009 | 1,892 hectares | +22.8% |
| 2010 | 1,994 hectares | +5.4% |
| 2011 | 2,078 hectares | +4.2% |
| 2012 | 3,660 hectares | +76.1% |
| 2013 | 3,436 hectares | -6.1% |
| 2014 | 2,887 hectares | -16.0% |
| 2015 | 729.75 hectares | -74.7% |
| 2016 | 970.36 hectares | +33.0% |
| 2017 | 1,392 hectares | +43.5% |
| 2018 | 1,047 hectares | -24.8% |
| 2019 | 1,123 hectares | +7.2% |
| 2020 | 525.42 hectares | -53.2% |
| 2021 | 852.84 hectares | +62.3% |
| 2022 | 321.27 hectares | -62.3% |
| 2023 | 566.52 hectares | +76.3% |
Panama compared with similar countries
- Panama's 566.52 hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 69.88 hectares, 8.1× the median. (48 countries reporting)
- Panama's 566.52 hectares is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 220.38 hectares, 2.6× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1,300 hectares | 467.09 hectares | 1,892 hectares | 3 |
| 2010s | 1,932 hectares | 729.75 hectares | 3,660 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 566.51 hectares | 321.27 hectares | 852.84 hectares | 4 |
Countries ranked near Panama
More environment data for Panama
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 5.66 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 7.64 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.274 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.86 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -1.41 % 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 -0.2493 % 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 Panama?
- Drivers of deforestation in Panama was 566.52 hectares in 2023, according to Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest drivers of deforestation recorded in Panama?
- The highest recorded value was 3,660 hectares in 2012.
- What is the lowest drivers of deforestation recorded in Panama?
- The lowest recorded value was 321.27 hectares in 2022.
- How does Panama rank for drivers of deforestation?
- Panama ranks 56th out of 166 countries with data for 2023.
- Is drivers of deforestation rising or falling in Panama?
- Over the last ten years it is down 83.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Panama 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 — 17 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.