Despite a drop in deforestation in 2025, forest losses pile up in the Mekong
Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam lost a combined 746,168 hectares of tree cover during 2025, according to an analysis by Mongabay using data from the Global Land Analysis and Discovery laboratory. The area lost was roughly equivalent to the size of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, although the source describes a decline in deforestation during the year.
The Mekong countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam lost a combined 746,168 hectares of tree cover over the course of 2025, according to Mongabay’s analysis.
The loss equals about 1.8 million acres and was roughly equivalent to the size of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. The analysis used data published by the Global Land Analysis and Discovery laboratory.
The source described the 2025 loss as occurring despite a drop in deforestation during the year.
THE QUESTIONS THIS EVENT LEAVES BEHIND
What conditions contributed to the reported decline in deforestation during 2025?
How were the reported tree-cover losses distributed among the five Mekong countries?
What land uses followed the areas where tree cover was lost?
Which institutions are responsible for monitoring and responding to forest loss in the region?
How might continued losses affect communities and ecosystems in the Mekong countries?
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GLOBAL CURIOSITY MAP · SEPTEMBER 2026