Imported deforestation in Botswana
Botswana: Imported deforestation was 1,243 hectares in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Imported deforestation in Botswana, 2005–2023
Source: Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2023, imported deforestation in Botswana stood at 1,243 hectares.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.3% on the previous year and up 31.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, imported deforestation in Botswana peaked at 4,441 hectares in 2012 and was at its lowest, 460.85 hectares, in 2018.
That places Botswana 130th out of 178 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.
Imported deforestation in Botswana, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 741.24 hectares | — |
| 2006 | 645.84 hectares | -12.9% |
| 2007 | 617.72 hectares | -4.4% |
| 2008 | 1,509 hectares | +144.4% |
| 2009 | 2,039 hectares | +35.0% |
| 2010 | 3,295 hectares | +61.6% |
| 2011 | 4,432 hectares | +34.5% |
| 2012 | 4,441 hectares | +0.2% |
| 2013 | 946.64 hectares | -78.7% |
| 2014 | 2,027 hectares | +114.1% |
| 2015 | 901.63 hectares | -55.5% |
| 2016 | 618.46 hectares | -31.4% |
| 2017 | 962.53 hectares | +55.6% |
| 2018 | 460.85 hectares | -52.1% |
| 2019 | 1,030 hectares | +123.4% |
| 2020 | 1,511 hectares | +46.8% |
| 2021 | 729.37 hectares | -51.7% |
| 2022 | 1,260 hectares | +72.7% |
| 2023 | 1,243 hectares | -1.3% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's 1,243 hectares is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2,929 hectares, 42% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
- Botswana's 1,243 hectares is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1,888 hectares, 66% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1,111 hectares | 617.72 hectares | 2,039 hectares | 5 |
| 2010s | 1,911 hectares | 460.85 hectares | 4,441 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,186 hectares | 729.37 hectares | 1,511 hectares | 4 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More environment data for Botswana
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 6.04 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 6.49 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.381 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 0.443 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -4.05 % 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 0.3323 % 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 imported deforestation in Botswana?
- Imported deforestation in Botswana was 1,243 hectares in 2023, according to Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest imported deforestation recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 4,441 hectares in 2012.
- What is the lowest imported deforestation recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 460.85 hectares in 2018.
- How does Botswana rank for imported deforestation?
- Botswana ranks 130th out of 178 countries with data for 2023.
- Is imported deforestation rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 31.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Imported 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
Imported deforestation is the amount of deforestation in other countries that is driven by the production of food and forestry products that are imported. This is measured in hectares.