Lakes and rivers permanent water area in Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

Least Developed Countries (LDCs): Lakes and rivers permanent water area was 135,991 kmsq in 2022. β–² Rising

Latest (2022)
135,991 kmsq
Change on year
up 1.0%
Rank
12th
of 52 regions
All-time high
135,991 kmsq
in 2022
All-time low
105,159 kmsq
in 2000
Years of data
23
2000–2022

Lakes and rivers permanent water area in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), 2000–2022

050.0k100.0k150.0k2000201120222000: 105.2k kmsq2001: 106.7k kmsq2002: 120.2k kmsq2003: 128.3k kmsq2004: 133.7k kmsq2005: 133.5k kmsq2006: 133.0k kmsq2007: 132.4k kmsq2008: 133.4k kmsq2009: 133.2k kmsq2010: 133.2k kmsq2011: 133.2k kmsq2012: 133.4k kmsq2013: 133.1k kmsq2014: 132.8k kmsq2015: 132.8k kmsq2016: 133.0k kmsq2017: 133.0k kmsq2018: 133.3k kmsq2019: 133.7k kmsq2020: 133.8k kmsq2021: 134.6k kmsq2022: 136.0k kmsq

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in kmsq.

Analysis

In 2022, lakes and rivers permanent water area in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) stood at 135,991 kmsq. That is the highest value across all 23 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.0% on the previous year and up 1.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lakes and rivers permanent water area in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) peaked at 135,991 kmsq in 2022 and was at its lowest, 105,159 kmsq, in 2000.

Least Developed Countries (LDCs) ranks 12th of 52 regions on this measure, in the top quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 23 years of available data.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 125,957 kmsq 105,159 kmsq 133,666 kmsq 10
2010s 133,158 kmsq 132,834 kmsq 133,679 kmsq 10
2020s 134,805 kmsq 133,823 kmsq 135,991 kmsq 3

Countries ranked near Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

  1. 9 Malawi 23,500 kmsq compare
  2. 10 Finland 22,408 kmsq compare
  3. 11 Greenland 17,316 kmsq compare
  4. 12 Mongolia 13,861 kmsq compare
  5. 13 Norway 12,157 kmsq compare
  6. 14 Peru 11,808 kmsq compare
  7. 15 Chile 11,251 kmsq compare

See the full ranking of 277 places β†’

More environment data for Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

All data for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) β†’

Frequently asked questions

What is lakes and rivers permanent water area in Least Developed Countries (LDCs)?
Lakes and rivers permanent water area in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) was 135,991 kmsq in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest lakes and rivers permanent water area recorded in Least Developed Countries (LDCs)?
The highest recorded value was 135,991 kmsq in 2022.
What is the lowest lakes and rivers permanent water area recorded in Least Developed Countries (LDCs)?
The lowest recorded value was 105,159 kmsq in 2000.
How does Least Developed Countries (LDCs) rank for lakes and rivers permanent water area?
Least Developed Countries (LDCs) ranks 12th out of 52 regions with data for 2022.
Is lakes and rivers permanent water area rising or falling in Least Developed Countries (LDCs)?
Over the last ten years it is up 1.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Least Developed Countries (LDCs) 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.

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Lakes and rivers permanent water area in Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 20 August 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/stat/lakes-and-rivers-permanent-water-area-square-kilometres/least-developed-countries-ldcs/

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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
277 places, 6,369 data points, 2000–2022
Last refreshed