Global deforestation rates slowed in 2025, but forest loss in the Congo Basin increased significantly, according to a study.

What it means

A new study reports that global deforestation declined in 2025, with about 7 million hectares of forest permanently lost—roughly the size of Ireland—but that losses surged in the Congo Basin, particularly in Central Africa, even as Latin America saw sharp gains. The improvement is described as fragile, with the situation deteriorating in Central Africa and an El Niño event posing additional risks.

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

The claim is based on a study, likely from the GLAD lab at the University of Maryland, which is a reputable primary source for satellite-based forest loss data. The reporting sits close to the primary source, with multiple outlets (Phys.org, The Straits Times, RFI) covering the same figures, lending consistency to the headline claim.

How new

This is genuinely new reporting from October 14, 2026, covering data for the year 2025, and is not a recirculation of older material.

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