Drivers of deforestation in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Drivers of deforestation was 70.99 hectares in 2016. ◆ Volatile
Drivers of deforestation in United Kingdom, 2001–2016
Source: Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2016, drivers of deforestation in United Kingdom stood at 70.99 hectares.
That represents a change of down 24.3% on the previous year and down 84.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, drivers of deforestation in United Kingdom peaked at 783.58 hectares in 2002 and was at its lowest, 45.6 hectares, in 2003.
That places United Kingdom 89th out of 166 countries with data for 2016, 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 United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 466.58 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 783.58 hectares | +67.9% |
| 2003 | 45.6 hectares | -94.2% |
| 2004 | 415.84 hectares | +811.9% |
| 2005 | 451.82 hectares | +8.7% |
| 2012 | 491.11 hectares | +8.7% |
| 2013 | 359.14 hectares | -26.9% |
| 2014 | 377.61 hectares | +5.1% |
| 2015 | 93.72 hectares | -75.2% |
| 2016 | 70.99 hectares | -24.3% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 70.99 hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 69.88 hectares, 1.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 70.99 hectares is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 59.76 hectares, 1.2× the median. (43 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 432.68 hectares | 45.6 hectares | 783.58 hectares | 5 |
| 2010s | 278.51 hectares | 70.99 hectares | 491.11 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More environment data for United Kingdom
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -3.13 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -7.25 Percentage change (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -3.47 % 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 -0.8735 % 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 -1.29 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), per unit of 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is drivers of deforestation in United Kingdom?
- Drivers of deforestation in United Kingdom was 70.99 hectares in 2016, according to Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest drivers of deforestation recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 783.58 hectares in 2002.
- What is the lowest drivers of deforestation recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 45.6 hectares in 2003.
- How does United Kingdom rank for drivers of deforestation?
- United Kingdom ranks 89th out of 166 countries with data for 2016.
- Is drivers of deforestation rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 84.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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 — 10 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.