We examined how close we live to forests worldwide from 2000 to 2020. Using satellite data and population maps, we found that, overall, we are now living farther from forests. Regions like Africa and South America saw consistent increases in distance, while Europe and North America stayed stable. In Asia and Oceania, trends varied, with some areas getting closer and others farther away. These changes reflect land use, policies, and development. This is the first global study to track human proximity to forests with high-resolution data, offering crucial insights for wildfire risk management, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable planning in a changing climate.