Global Tropical Primary Forest Loss Slowed by 36% in 2025
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Data from the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Global Forest Watch (GFW) platform shows a significant reduction in the loss of tropical primary forests last year. While more than 4.3 million hectares were still lost, the 36% slowdown marks a notable positive trend. This development comes as a new El Niño cycle begins, which is likely to bring hotter and drier conditions to the tropics.
Facts First
- Global tropical primary forest loss slowed by 36% in 2025 according to WRI's GFW platform.
- More than 4.3 million hectares of forest were still lost in 2025, an area larger than Switzerland.
- Loss in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declined by 5% between 2024 and 2025.
- The DRC, Brazil, and Indonesia hold the most remaining tropical forest cover globally.
- A new El Niño cycle has begun, which may bring hotter, drier conditions to the tropics.
What Happened
Data from the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Global Forest Watch (GFW) platform shows that global tropical primary forest loss slowed by 36% in 2025. In that year, more than 4.3 million hectares (10.6 million acres) of tropical primary forest were lost, an area larger than Switzerland. Primary forest loss in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declined by 5% between 2024 and 2025. The DRC, Brazil, and Indonesia are among the top three countries for total remaining tropical forest cover.
Why this Matters to You
A slowdown in forest loss is a positive step for global climate stability, as these forests are critical for absorbing carbon dioxide. The health of tropical forests can influence global weather patterns and biodiversity, which underpin food systems and natural resources. You may see this progress reflected in future climate reports and international policy discussions aimed at protecting these vital ecosystems.
What's Next
The new El Niño cycle is likely to bring hotter and drier conditions across the tropics, which could increase the risk of forest fires and drought stress. This may present a significant test for the recent progress in slowing forest loss. Continued monitoring through platforms like GFW will be essential to track how these climatic pressures affect the world's remaining tropical forests.