In Ethiopia, a country with an area of over 112 million hectares, the tree cover extent is just over 12 million hectares. Over the years, the nation has experienced a significant decline in tree cover. Analysis of historical data reveals a worrying trend of persistent tree cover loss, primarily driven by shifting agriculture. This practice alone has accounted for the vast majority of the loss, with other factors such as urbanization, forestry, and wildfires contributing to a lesser extent.
From 2001 to 2023, the total tree cover loss in Ethiopia amounted to hundreds of thousands of hectares, with the highest recorded loss in 2023 at over 36,000 hectares. This loss has not only impacted the landscape but also resulted in substantial CO2 emissions. Despite some gains in tree cover and efforts to stabilize the environment, the net change in tree cover has been negative, with a 3.61% decrease over the analyzed period.
Explore country profileThe latest incident data from 2025 indicates a fire alert in the Gambella region, highlighting the ongoing challenges Ethiopia faces in managing tree cover loss and its consequences. The trend suggests a need for increased attention and action to protect and restore Ethiopia's forests for the benefit of the environment and future generations.
