Drivers of deforestation in South Sudan
South Sudan: Drivers of deforestation was 1,009 hectares in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Drivers of deforestation in South Sudan, 2012–2023
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 Sudan is 1,009 hectares, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of up 226.9% on the previous year and down 60.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, drivers of deforestation in South Sudan peaked at 3,634 hectares in 2012 and was at its lowest, 308.8 hectares, in 2022.
That places South Sudan 51st 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 Sudan, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,634 hectares | — |
| 2013 | 2,584 hectares | -28.9% |
| 2014 | 2,443 hectares | -5.4% |
| 2015 | 569.36 hectares | -76.7% |
| 2016 | 1,346 hectares | +136.4% |
| 2017 | 2,676 hectares | +98.8% |
| 2018 | 1,012 hectares | -62.2% |
| 2019 | 1,232 hectares | +21.8% |
| 2020 | 380.02 hectares | -69.2% |
| 2021 | 442.94 hectares | +16.6% |
| 2022 | 308.8 hectares | -30.3% |
| 2023 | 1,009 hectares | +226.9% |
South Sudan compared with similar countries
- South Sudan's 1,009 hectares is above the median for low income countries, which is 550.07 hectares, 1.8× the median. (22 countries reporting)
- South Sudan's 1,009 hectares is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 751.37 hectares, 1.3× the median. (43 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 1,937 hectares | 569.36 hectares | 3,634 hectares | 8 |
| 2020s | 535.28 hectares | 308.8 hectares | 1,009 hectares | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Sudan
More environment data for South Sudan
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -17.71 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -18.33 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.283 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.92 °C (2025)
- Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing) — Annual growth US$ -9.78 % (2024)
- Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing) — Value Standard 468,790 million SLC (2024)
- Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing) — Annual growth US$ 70.33 % (2024)
- Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing) — Annual growth -9.78 % (2024)
- Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing) — Annual growth 10.41 % (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is drivers of deforestation in South Sudan?
- Drivers of deforestation in South Sudan was 1,009 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 Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 3,634 hectares in 2012.
- What is the lowest drivers of deforestation recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 308.8 hectares in 2022.
- How does South Sudan rank for drivers of deforestation?
- South Sudan ranks 51st out of 166 countries with data for 2023.
- Is drivers of deforestation rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 60.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Sudan 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 — 12 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.