How much tropical forest cover was lost between the 19th and late 20th centuries?

Between the 19th and late 20th centuries, the global extent of tropical forests experienced a significant decline. In the 19th century, these forests covered approximately 20 percent of Earth's dry land area; by the end of the 20th century, that figure had fallen to less than 7 percent.1

This extensive deforestation has been driven by a complex array of factors, including the mechanization of logging, the expansion of subsistence agriculture—often involving slash-and-burn agriculture—and the rising global demand for wood products and land. The destruction of these ecosystems is an urgent environmental concern, as it compromises soil integrity, leads to erosion, and threatens the biodiversity essential to the health of our planet. Protecting these remaining forests is a moral imperative to ensure the stability of global ecosystems for future generations.12