A new study reports that global deforestation slows in 2025, but losses in the Congo Basin increase. Researchers say that while 2025 shows a reduction in the amount of forest permanently destroyed compared with the previous year, conditions in Central Africa worsen, offsetting some of the global gains.
According to the annual Forest Declaration Assessment cited by outlets, around 7 million hectares of forest are permanently destroyed in 2025—about the size of the Republic of Ireland—representing a 15% drop from 2024. The study nevertheless warns that the improvement may not be sustained, citing a deterioration in the Congo Basin alongside the impacts of an exceptionally strong El Niño pattern.
Different coverage emphasizes the contrast between regions: multiple outlets focus on the global slowdown while highlighting that the Congo Basin’s surge remains a major concern. Together, the reports frame 2025 as a year of partial progress globally, with heightened risk to tropical forests in Central Africa.
