Deforestation in decline since 1990s, but still 10.9M ha lost per year worldwide (FAO Report)

Deforestation has slowed in all of the world’s regions, with the annual rate of net forest loss falling from 10.7M ha in the 1990s to 4.12M ha this last decade. However, forest ecosystems worldwide remain under high pressure, announced the last report of Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA), published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, on 21/10/2025.

'These assessments are the most comprehensive and transparent global evaluations of forest resources and their condition, management and uses, covering all the thematic elements of sustainable forest management. The data they produce serve multiple purposes, from informing the global community of the status of forests and their changes, to supporting decisions, policies and investments related to forests and the ecosystem services they provide', declared QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General.

The FAO’s report relies on analyses for 236 countries and areas. Released every five years, this 2025 edition shows that forests currently cover 4.14Bn ha, which represent around one-third of the planet’s land area…