Imported deforestation in Zambia
Zambia: Imported deforestation was 2,331 hectares in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Imported deforestation in Zambia, 2005–2023
Source: Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
Zambia recorded 2,331 hectares for imported deforestation in 2023.
That represents a change of down 3.4% on the previous year and down 57.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, imported deforestation in Zambia peaked at 5,522 hectares in 2011 and was at its lowest, 502.71 hectares, in 2005.
That places Zambia 93rd 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 Zambia, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 502.71 hectares | — |
| 2006 | 810.59 hectares | +61.2% |
| 2007 | 1,626 hectares | +100.6% |
| 2008 | 1,444 hectares | -11.2% |
| 2009 | 2,512 hectares | +74.0% |
| 2010 | 3,360 hectares | +33.7% |
| 2011 | 5,522 hectares | +64.4% |
| 2012 | 4,776 hectares | -13.5% |
| 2013 | 5,463 hectares | +14.4% |
| 2014 | 4,288 hectares | -21.5% |
| 2015 | 2,989 hectares | -30.3% |
| 2016 | 2,161 hectares | -27.7% |
| 2017 | 2,619 hectares | +21.2% |
| 2018 | 2,077 hectares | -20.7% |
| 2019 | 1,936 hectares | -6.8% |
| 2020 | 867.3 hectares | -55.2% |
| 2021 | 1,322 hectares | +52.4% |
| 2022 | 2,414 hectares | +82.6% |
| 2023 | 2,331 hectares | -3.4% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 2,331 hectares is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 2,331 hectares, 1.0× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 2,331 hectares is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1,888 hectares, 1.2× the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1,379 hectares | 502.71 hectares | 2,512 hectares | 5 |
| 2010s | 3,519 hectares | 1,936 hectares | 5,522 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,733 hectares | 867.3 hectares | 2,414 hectares | 4 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 90 Jamaica 2,413 hectares compare
- 91 Bahrain 2,387 hectares compare
- 92 Mozambique 2,373 hectares compare
- 94 Democratic Republic of Congo 2,321 hectares compare
- 95 Tajikistan 2,320 hectares compare
- 96 Costa Rica 2,303 hectares compare
More environment data for Zambia
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -2.98 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -3.03 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.265 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.11 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 2.74 % 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 3.49 % 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 Zambia?
- Imported deforestation in Zambia was 2,331 hectares in 2023, according to Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest imported deforestation recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 5,522 hectares in 2011.
- What is the lowest imported deforestation recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 502.71 hectares in 2005.
- How does Zambia rank for imported deforestation?
- Zambia ranks 93rd out of 178 countries with data for 2023.
- Is imported deforestation rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 57.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia 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.