Australia vs Southern Africa: Lakes and rivers permanent water area

Australia
4,467 kmsq
in 2022
Southern Africa
1,894 kmsq
in 2022
Australia rank
38th
Southern Africa rank
37th

Lakes and rivers permanent water area over time

  • Australia
  • Southern Africa
2.0k3.0k4.0k5.0k6.0k200020112022

How they compare

Australia currently reports 4,467 kmsq against 1,894 kmsq in Southern Africa, a difference of 2,573 kmsq.

That makes Australia's figure about 2.4 times Southern Africa's.

Across all 23 years both countries report, Australia has been ahead every year.

Australia ranks 38th and Southern Africa ranks 37th of 252 countries.

Australia has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Australia Southern Africa Difference Ahead
2000s 5,356 kmsq 1,801 kmsq 3,555 kmsq Australia
2010s 5,231 kmsq 1,938 kmsq 3,293 kmsq Australia
2020s 4,423 kmsq 1,806 kmsq 2,618 kmsq Australia

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher lakes and rivers permanent water area, Australia or Southern Africa?
Australia, at 4,467 kmsq against 1,894 kmsq in Southern Africa as of 2022.
What is the difference in lakes and rivers permanent water area between Australia and Southern Africa?
2,573 kmsq, with Australia ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Australia and Southern Africa?
23 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2022.
How do Australia and Southern Africa rank globally for lakes and rivers permanent water area?
Australia ranks 38th and Southern Africa ranks 37th of 252 countries.
Where does this data come from?
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as Lakes and rivers permanent water area (square kilometres). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Australia vs Southern Africa: Lakes and rivers permanent water area. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 05 September 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/compare/lakes-and-rivers-permanent-water-area-square-kilometres/australia/southern-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Lakes and rivers permanent water area (square kilometres)
Unit
kmsq
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
291 places, 6,691 data points, 2000–2022
Last refreshed