Drivers of deforestation in Vanuatu
Vanuatu: Drivers of deforestation was 9.69 hectares in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Drivers of deforestation in Vanuatu, 2001–2023
Source: Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2023, drivers of deforestation in Vanuatu stood at 9.69 hectares.
That represents a change of up 205.7% on the previous year and down 75.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, drivers of deforestation in Vanuatu peaked at 39.31 hectares in 2013 and was at its lowest, 3.17 hectares, in 2021.
That places Vanuatu 116th 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 Vanuatu, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 6.28 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 4.63 hectares | -26.3% |
| 2003 | 11.57 hectares | +149.9% |
| 2004 | 16.35 hectares | +41.3% |
| 2005 | 6.39 hectares | -60.9% |
| 2006 | 7.55 hectares | +18.2% |
| 2007 | 3.41 hectares | -54.8% |
| 2008 | 9.2 hectares | +169.8% |
| 2009 | 10.46 hectares | +13.7% |
| 2010 | 11.63 hectares | +11.2% |
| 2011 | 8.71 hectares | -25.1% |
| 2012 | 10.64 hectares | +22.2% |
| 2013 | 39.31 hectares | +269.5% |
| 2014 | 29.76 hectares | -24.3% |
| 2015 | 16.05 hectares | -46.1% |
| 2016 | 22.01 hectares | +37.1% |
| 2017 | 13.39 hectares | -39.2% |
| 2018 | 9.39 hectares | -29.9% |
| 2019 | 13.53 hectares | +44.1% |
| 2020 | 21.54 hectares | +59.2% |
| 2021 | 3.17 hectares | -85.3% |
| 2023 | 9.69 hectares | +205.7% |
Vanuatu compared with similar countries
- Vanuatu's 9.69 hectares is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 225.28 hectares, 4% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Vanuatu's 9.69 hectares is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4,457 hectares, 0% of the median. (21 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 8.43 hectares | 3.41 hectares | 16.35 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 17.44 hectares | 8.71 hectares | 39.31 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 11.47 hectares | 3.17 hectares | 21.54 hectares | 3 |
Countries ranked near Vanuatu
More environment data for Vanuatu
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 2.29 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 1.46 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.225 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.02 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 1.53 % 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 -2.35 % 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 Vanuatu?
- Drivers of deforestation in Vanuatu was 9.69 hectares in 2023, according to Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest drivers of deforestation recorded in Vanuatu?
- The highest recorded value was 39.31 hectares in 2013.
- What is the lowest drivers of deforestation recorded in Vanuatu?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.17 hectares in 2021.
- How does Vanuatu rank for drivers of deforestation?
- Vanuatu ranks 116th out of 166 countries with data for 2023.
- Is drivers of deforestation rising or falling in Vanuatu?
- Over the last ten years it is down 75.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Vanuatu 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 — 22 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.