LONDON: Populations of monitored wild vertebrate species fell by an average of 73% between 1970 and 2022, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), highlighting the continuing decline in global biodiversity.
The finding was published on Thursday in WWF’s 2026 Living Planet Report, which tracks wildlife populations through the Living Planet Index, managed by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and WWF.
The index monitored 35,803 populations representing 5,790 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish over the 52 years. Overall populations declined by an average of about 2.5% a year, the report said.
“Monitored global populations continue to decline on average with no evidence yet of that global recovery,” said Andrew Terry, chief conservation officer at ZSL.
The 73% figure represents the average change among monitored populations and does not mean that 73% of all wild animals disappeared during the period. The measure is particularly sensitive to changes in populations that are already small.
Listen to nature.
It tells us: monitored wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73% since 1970.
But it tells us this too: what falls can rise again. Elephants, tigers, green turtles, tuna. All made a comeback.
Not by chance. By people. Share with hope. #LivingPlanetReport
Footage credit: WWF & Open Planet
— WWF (@WWF) October 7, 2026
Freshwater species recorded the steepest decline, with populations falling by an average of 85%. Terrestrial species declined by 69%, while marine species fell by 59%.
South America recorded the largest regional decline, at 95%, followed by Africa, where monitored wildlife populations fell by 80% between 1970 and 2022.
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The 2026 report added 295 species and 967 populations to the dataset, extending the time series compared with the previous report published in 2024. The new data “reinforces our confidence in the continued decline in biodiversity”, Terry told a briefing.
Habitat loss and degradation were the most frequently reported threats to wildlife, while overexploitation, climate change, pollution, invasive species and disease also placed populations under pressure, the report said.
Despite the overall decline, conservation programmes have helped some species recover. Tigers, Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tuna, southern African elephants and green sea turtles were among species showing signs of recovery.
“Amid these steep declines, there are grounds for hope, rooted in evidence. Wildlife populations are under pressure but recovery is in reach,” said Kirsten Schuijt, WWF’s director general. She said efforts to halt nature loss would need to go beyond conservation, including changes to energy, food and financial systems.
