The world lost 4.3 million hectares (10.6 million acres) of pristine tropical forest in 2025, a 36% drop compared to 2024, according to data from the University of Maryland and the World Resources Institute. This decline is largely attributed to Brazil's efforts to curb deforestation, as pledged by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva when he took office.
Brazil's deforestation rate fell by 46% in 2025, reaching its lowest level since 2015. The country accounted for 30% of global primary forest loss, down from 40% in 2024. Other countries, including Colombia and Indonesia, also saw reductions, though deforestation increased in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Bolivia.
Despite the overall decline, the world still lost an area of tropical forest roughly the size of Switzerland in 2025. The loss of primary forests, which are critical for biodiversity and carbon storage, remains a concern. The 4.3 million hectares lost is still above the 2020 level of 4.2 million hectares.
Environmental groups welcomed the progress but stressed the need for continued action. 'The drop is encouraging, but we are still losing forests at an alarming rate,' said a spokesperson for the World Resources Institute. 'To meet global climate goals, deforestation must end entirely by 2030.'
