Living Planet Report 2026: Wildlife Populations Have Fallen 73% Since 1970, Says WWF
Singapore, 8 October 2026: Monitored populations of wild animals have fallen by an average of 73% between 1970 and 2022, according to the Living Planet Report 2026 from WWF and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). That equals an average decline of about 2.5% a year.
Key findings
| Measure | Decline (1970–2022) |
|---|---|
| All monitored populations | ~73% |
| Freshwater species | ~85% |
| Terrestrial species | ~69% |
| Marine species | ~59% |
| South America (region) | ~95% |
| Africa (region) | ~80% |
The Living Planet Index tracked 35,803 populations of 5,790 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. This edition added 967 populations and 295 species compared with the 2024 report.
Important: the 73% figure is an average rate of change across populations, not the share of individual animals lost. It is particularly sensitive to declines in already small populations.
What is driving the decline
- Habitat loss and degradation (the most frequently reported threat), mainly from farming and land-use change
- Overexploitation such as overfishing and hunting
- Climate change
- Pollution
- Invasive species and disease
Signs of hope
The report highlights recoveries where targeted conservation was applied, including tigers, Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tuna, southern African elephants and green sea turtles. India's tiger population growth under Project Tiger is among the best-known conservation successes.
What they said
- Andrew Terry, chief conservation officer at ZSL: "Monitored global populations continue to decline on average with no evidence yet of that global recovery."
- Kirsten Schuijt, WWF director general: "Wildlife populations are under pressure but recovery is in reach." WWF says changes to energy, food and finance systems are needed to halt nature loss.
Why it matters
Biodiversity supports food production, clean water, pollination and climate stability. The findings come a month before COP31 in Antalya and as countries work toward the global target of protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030.
Sources
- ThePrint (Reuters), "WWF says wildlife populations dropped by an average of 73%": https://theprint.in/environment/wwf-says-wildlife-populations-dropped-by-an-average-of-73-from-1970-to-2022/3065109/
- WWF, 2026 Living Planet Report: https://www.worldwildlife.org/publications/2026-living-planet-report/
- GKToday current affairs: https://www.gktoday.in/current-affairs/