In 2023, tropical forest losses continued at a concerning rate, with Brazil leading the world in primary tropical forest loss, recording a significant 1.14 million hectares of deforestation. The Democratic Republic of Congo followed with 530,000 hectares lost, driven largely by mining, timber extraction, and agricultural expansion. Bolivia ranked third, losing 490,000 hectares, while Indonesia, despite efforts to curb deforestation, recorded a loss of 290,000 hectares.
Other countries experiencing notable forest loss included Peru (150,000 hectares), Laos (140,000 hectares), and Cameroon (100,000 hectares). Madagascar, a biodiversity hotspot, also suffered, with 80,000 hectares cleared. The total primary forest loss across the tropics amounted to approximately 3.7 million hectares, as reported by the World Resources Institute’s Global Forest Review. These losses underscore the ongoing pressures on tropical forests, critical ecosystems for climate regulation and biodiversity, especially in countries like Indonesia and Madagascar, where unique species and natural resources are at high risk.
