Lakes and rivers permanent water area change in South America

South America: Lakes and rivers permanent water area change was -3.1% in 2022. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2022)
-3.1%
Change on year
down 19.1%
Rank
32nd
of 34 groups
All-time high
3.3%
in 2006
All-time low
-3.1%
in 2022
Years of data
18
2005–2022

Lakes and rivers permanent water area change in South America, 2005–2022

-4-20242005201320222005: 3.12006: 3.32007: 3.12008: 2.62009: 2.32010: 1.42011: 0.2872012: -0.3162013: -0.6562014: -1.22015: -1.32016: -1.32017: -22018: -1.92019: -1.82020: -22021: -2.62022: -3.1

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

The most recent figure for lakes and rivers permanent water area change in South America is -3.1%, measured in 2022. That is the lowest value across all 18 years on record.

The figure is down 19.1% on the previous year and down 872.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lakes and rivers permanent water area change in South America peaked at 3.3% in 2006 and was at its lowest, -3.1%, in 2022.

South America ranks 32nd of 34 groups on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Lakes and rivers permanent water area change in South America, year by year

Annual values for Lakes and rivers permanent water area change (%) in South America, 2005 to 2022.
Year Value Change
2005 3.1%
2006 3.3% +6.0%
2007 3.1% -6.2%
2008 2.6% -17.0%
2009 2.3% -11.7%
2010 1.4% -39.5%
2011 0.3% -79.2%
2012 -0.3% -210.2%
2013 -0.7% +107.3%
2014 -1.2% +75.7%
2015 -1.3% +8.8%
2016 -1.3% +5.1%
2017 -2.0% +49.4%
2018 -1.9% -3.0%
2019 -1.8% -4.1%
2020 -2.0% +7.7%
2021 -2.6% +30.9%
2022 -3.1% +19.1%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 2.9% 2.3% 3.3% 5
2010s -0.9% -2.0% 1.4% 10
2020s -2.5% -3.1% -2.0% 3

Countries ranked near South America

  1. 29 Saudi Arabia 52.8% compare
  2. 30 Tokelau 52.1% compare
  3. 31 Jersey 49.7% compare
  4. 32 Mauritania 48.9% compare
  5. 33 Guinea 45.4% compare
  6. 34 Grenada 45.3% compare
  7. 35 Yemen 43.6% compare

See the full ranking of 274 places →

More environment data for South America

All data for South America →

Frequently asked questions

What is lakes and rivers permanent water area change in South America?
Lakes and rivers permanent water area change in South America was -3.1% in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest lakes and rivers permanent water area change recorded in South America?
The highest recorded value was 3.3% in 2006.
What is the lowest lakes and rivers permanent water area change recorded in South America?
The lowest recorded value was -3.1% in 2022.
How does South America rank for lakes and rivers permanent water area change?
South America ranks 32nd out of 34 groups with data for 2022.
Is lakes and rivers permanent water area change rising or falling in South America?
Over the last ten years it is down 872.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South America data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Lakes and rivers permanent water area change (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Lakes and rivers permanent water area change in South America. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 28 August 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/stat/lakes-and-rivers-permanent-water-area-change-percent/south-america/

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About this data

Indicator
Lakes and rivers permanent water area change (%)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
274 places, 4,930 data points, 2005–2022
Last refreshed