Lakes and rivers permanent water area change in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Lakes and rivers permanent water area change was 24.0% in 2022. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2022)
24.0%
Change on year
up 0.6%
World rank
65th
of 249 countries
All-time high
25.0%
in 2018
All-time low
-33.3%
in 2009
Years of data
18
2005–2022

Lakes and rivers permanent water area change in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2005–2022

-40-200202005201320222005: 142006: -2.42007: -92008: -21.12009: -33.32010: -25.62011: -11.82012: -4.32013: 4.42014: 17.42015: 18.12016: 21.82017: 21.72018: 252019: 24.62020: 23.72021: 23.82022: 24

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland recorded 24.0% for lakes and rivers permanent water area change in 2022.

That represents a change of up 0.6% on the previous year and up 653.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lakes and rivers permanent water area change in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 25.0% in 2018 and was at its lowest, -33.3%, in 2009.

That places United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 65th out of 249 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.

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

Lakes and rivers permanent water area change in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year

Annual values for Lakes and rivers permanent water area change (%) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2005 to 2022.
Year Value Change
2005 14.0%
2006 -2.4% -117.0%
2007 -9.0% +279.0%
2008 -21.1% +133.5%
2009 -33.3% +58.0%
2010 -25.6% -23.3%
2011 -11.8% -53.8%
2012 -4.3% -63.4%
2013 4.4% -201.5%
2014 17.4% +296.8%
2015 18.1% +3.8%
2016 21.8% +20.3%
2017 21.7% -0.3%
2018 25.0% +15.3%
2019 24.6% -1.7%
2020 23.7% -3.8%
2021 23.8% +0.6%
2022 24.0% +0.6%

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland compared with similar countries

  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's 24.0% is above the median for high income countries, which is 12.7%, 1.9× the median. (80 countries reporting)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's 24.0% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 11.3%, 2.1× the median. (53 countries reporting)

Biggest year-on-year movements

Years where Lakes and rivers permanent water area change in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.

YearChange FromTo
2014 +296.8% 4.4% 17.4%
2007 -279.0% -2.4% -9.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s -10.4% -33.3% 14.0% 5
2010s 9.1% -25.6% 25.0% 10
2020s 23.8% 23.7% 24.0% 3

Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

  1. 62 Greece 24.5% compare
  2. 63 Gabon 24.3% compare
  3. 64 Ireland 24.2% compare
  4. 65 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 24.0% compare
  5. 67 Pakistan 22.3% compare
  6. 68 Sri Lanka 22.3% compare

See the full ranking of 288 places →

More environment data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is lakes and rivers permanent water area change in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Lakes and rivers permanent water area change in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 24.0% in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest lakes and rivers permanent water area change recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
The highest recorded value was 25.0% in 2018.
What is the lowest lakes and rivers permanent water area change recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
The lowest recorded value was -33.3% in 2009.
How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for lakes and rivers permanent water area change?
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 65th out of 249 countries with data for 2022.
Is lakes and rivers permanent water area change rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Over the last ten years it is up 653.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 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 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 16 September 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/stat/lakes-and-rivers-permanent-water-area-change-percent/united-kingdom/

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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
288 places, 5,182 data points, 2005–2022
Last refreshed