Lakes and rivers permanent water area in Botswana
Botswana: Lakes and rivers permanent water area was 229.17 kmsq in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Lakes and rivers permanent water area in Botswana, 2000–2022
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in kmsq.
Analysis
The most recent figure for lakes and rivers permanent water area in Botswana is 229.17 kmsq, measured in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 17.3% on the previous year and up 124.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, lakes and rivers permanent water area in Botswana peaked at 335.29 kmsq in 2018 and was at its lowest, 71.69 kmsq, in 2006.
That places Botswana 125th out of 254 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 in Botswana, year by year
| Year | kmsq | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 103.7 kmsq | — |
| 2001 | 135.58 kmsq | +30.7% |
| 2002 | 116.32 kmsq | -14.2% |
| 2003 | 85.4 kmsq | -26.6% |
| 2004 | 84.54 kmsq | -1.0% |
| 2005 | 104.3 kmsq | +23.4% |
| 2006 | 71.69 kmsq | -31.3% |
| 2007 | 89.47 kmsq | +24.8% |
| 2008 | 91 kmsq | +1.7% |
| 2009 | 116.74 kmsq | +28.3% |
| 2010 | 107.7 kmsq | -7.7% |
| 2011 | 115.53 kmsq | +7.3% |
| 2012 | 102.27 kmsq | -11.5% |
| 2013 | 154.78 kmsq | +51.3% |
| 2014 | 199.81 kmsq | +29.1% |
| 2015 | 273.75 kmsq | +37.0% |
| 2016 | 308.61 kmsq | +12.7% |
| 2017 | 312.98 kmsq | +1.4% |
| 2018 | 335.29 kmsq | +7.1% |
| 2019 | 315.78 kmsq | -5.8% |
| 2020 | 235.12 kmsq | -25.5% |
| 2021 | 195.36 kmsq | -16.9% |
| 2022 | 229.17 kmsq | +17.3% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's 229.17 kmsq is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 456.12 kmsq, 50% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
- Botswana's 229.17 kmsq is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 302.83 kmsq, 76% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 99.87 kmsq | 71.69 kmsq | 135.58 kmsq | 10 |
| 2010s | 222.65 kmsq | 102.27 kmsq | 335.29 kmsq | 10 |
| 2020s | 219.88 kmsq | 195.36 kmsq | 235.12 kmsq | 3 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More environment data for Botswana
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 6.04 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 6.49 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.381 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 0.443 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -4.05 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 0.3323 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is lakes and rivers permanent water area in Botswana?
- Lakes and rivers permanent water area in Botswana was 229.17 kmsq in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest lakes and rivers permanent water area recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 335.29 kmsq in 2018.
- What is the lowest lakes and rivers permanent water area recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 71.69 kmsq in 2006.
- How does Botswana rank for lakes and rivers permanent water area?
- Botswana ranks 125th out of 254 countries with data for 2022.
- Is lakes and rivers permanent water area rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 124.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Lakes and rivers permanent water area (square kilometres). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 23 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).