Global Wetlands Area Shrinking Annually

Including Marshes, Swamps, Lakes, and Peatlands According to Report

Wetlands, such as swamps, marshes, and bogs, are essential habitats for fish and wildlife, supply nutrient-rich materials to support the food web, and store carbon from the atmosphere. However, wetlands are shrinking, according to the Global Wetland Outlook 2025. Below are key findings from the report, which was presented at the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (or COP15) that took place on July 23–31, 2025.

1. There are an estimated 1,425.6 million hectares of wetlands remaining globally, and they provide benefits estimated from $7.98 trillion to $39.01 trillion every year.

2. These benefits include providing food for people, removing water pollutants, protecting local communities from natural disasters, and storing carbon.

3. Of the above area, peatlands occupy the highest area—500 million hectares (or 35%)—followed by inland marshes and swamps (32%) and lakes (19%).

4. Since 1970, the overall average rate of wetland loss has been 0.52% per year. The rate ranges from 0.01% to 1.80% per year, depending on the wetland type.

5. Total wetland loss is about 411.5 million hectares, of which inland marshes and swamps faced the highest loss of 177 million hectares (or 43%). Lakes and peatlands accounted for 30% and 19% of the total loss, respectively.

   
   

Sources:

• Global Wetland Outlook 2025 Report

• National Geographic – Wetlands