Exported deforestation in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Exported deforestation was 32.65 hectares in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Exported deforestation in United Kingdom, 2005–2023
Source: Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for exported deforestation in United Kingdom is 32.65 hectares, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 19 years on record.
That represents a change of down 42.3% on the previous year and down 88.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, exported deforestation in United Kingdom peaked at 564.13 hectares in 2005 and was at its lowest, 32.65 hectares, in 2023.
United Kingdom ranks 99th of 178 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.
Exported deforestation in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 564.13 hectares | — |
| 2006 | 311.03 hectares | -44.9% |
| 2007 | 229.71 hectares | -26.1% |
| 2008 | 307.2 hectares | +33.7% |
| 2009 | 334.68 hectares | +8.9% |
| 2010 | 391.12 hectares | +16.9% |
| 2011 | 363.57 hectares | -7.0% |
| 2012 | 374.1 hectares | +2.9% |
| 2013 | 282.28 hectares | -24.5% |
| 2014 | 229.17 hectares | -18.8% |
| 2015 | 160.94 hectares | -29.8% |
| 2016 | 144.21 hectares | -10.4% |
| 2017 | 115.19 hectares | -20.1% |
| 2018 | 112.95 hectares | -1.9% |
| 2019 | 98.58 hectares | -12.7% |
| 2020 | 89.07 hectares | -9.6% |
| 2021 | 95.76 hectares | +7.5% |
| 2022 | 56.61 hectares | -40.9% |
| 2023 | 32.65 hectares | -42.3% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 32.65 hectares is below the median for high income countries, which is 40.55 hectares, 81% of the median. (59 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 32.65 hectares is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 35.42 hectares, 92% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 349.35 hectares | 229.71 hectares | 564.13 hectares | 5 |
| 2010s | 227.21 hectares | 98.58 hectares | 391.12 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 68.52 hectares | 32.65 hectares | 95.76 hectares | 4 |
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 exported deforestation in United Kingdom?
- Exported deforestation in United Kingdom was 32.65 hectares in 2023, according to Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest exported deforestation recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 564.13 hectares in 2005.
- What is the lowest exported deforestation recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 32.65 hectares in 2023.
- How does United Kingdom rank for exported deforestation?
- United Kingdom ranks 99th out of 178 countries with data for 2023.
- Is exported deforestation rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 88.4%. 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 Exported deforestation. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 19 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Exported deforestation is the amount of annual deforestation that is driven by the production of food and forestry products that are exported for consumption in other countries. This is measured in hectares.