Lakes and rivers permanent water area in Northern Africa and Western Asia
Northern Africa and Western Asia: Lakes and rivers permanent water area was 94,246 kmsq in 2022. ▲ Rising
Lakes and rivers permanent water area in Northern Africa and Western Asia, 2000–2022
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in kmsq.
Analysis
Northern Africa and Western Asia recorded 94,246 kmsq for lakes and rivers permanent water area in 2022. That is the highest value across all 23 years on record.
The figure is up 0.4% on the previous year and up 14.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, lakes and rivers permanent water area in Northern Africa and Western Asia peaked at 94,246 kmsq in 2022 and was at its lowest, 39,869 kmsq, in 2000.
That places Northern Africa and Western Asia 21st out of 39 groups with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 23 years of available data.
Lakes and rivers permanent water area in Northern Africa and Western Asia, year by year
| Year | kmsq | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 39,869 kmsq | — |
| 2001 | 49,376 kmsq | +23.8% |
| 2002 | 63,139 kmsq | +27.9% |
| 2003 | 79,345 kmsq | +25.7% |
| 2004 | 79,217 kmsq | -0.2% |
| 2005 | 80,976 kmsq | +2.2% |
| 2006 | 81,009 kmsq | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 81,681 kmsq | +0.8% |
| 2008 | 82,372 kmsq | +0.8% |
| 2009 | 82,809 kmsq | +0.5% |
| 2010 | 82,692 kmsq | -0.1% |
| 2011 | 82,719 kmsq | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 82,506 kmsq | -0.3% |
| 2013 | 82,376 kmsq | -0.2% |
| 2014 | 82,979 kmsq | +0.7% |
| 2015 | 83,630 kmsq | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 85,788 kmsq | +2.6% |
| 2017 | 87,930 kmsq | +2.5% |
| 2018 | 90,029 kmsq | +2.4% |
| 2019 | 91,584 kmsq | +1.7% |
| 2020 | 93,406 kmsq | +2.0% |
| 2021 | 93,837 kmsq | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 94,246 kmsq | +0.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 71,979 kmsq | 39,869 kmsq | 82,809 kmsq | 10 |
| 2010s | 85,223 kmsq | 82,376 kmsq | 91,584 kmsq | 10 |
| 2020s | 93,830 kmsq | 93,406 kmsq | 94,246 kmsq | 3 |
Countries ranked near Northern Africa and Western Asia
More environment data for Northern Africa and Western Asia
- Average proportion of Marine Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) covered by 31.4% (2025)
- Average proportion of Terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) 29.3% (2025)
- Average proportion of Mountain Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) covered 27.2% (2025)
- Average proportion of Freshwater Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) 24.2% (2025)
- Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services, by 60.7% (2024)
- Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water 76.2% (2024)
- Proportion of population using basic drinking water services, by 92.2% (2024)
- Proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location 91.0% (2024)
- Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of 77.7% (2023)
- Water Use Efficiency 13.29 USD/m3 (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is lakes and rivers permanent water area in Northern Africa and Western Asia?
- Lakes and rivers permanent water area in Northern Africa and Western Asia was 94,246 kmsq in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest lakes and rivers permanent water area recorded in Northern Africa and Western Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 94,246 kmsq in 2022.
- What is the lowest lakes and rivers permanent water area recorded in Northern Africa and Western Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 39,869 kmsq in 2000.
- How does Northern Africa and Western Asia rank for lakes and rivers permanent water area?
- Northern Africa and Western Asia ranks 21st out of 39 groups with data for 2022.
- Is lakes and rivers permanent water area rising or falling in Northern Africa and Western Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 14.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Northern Africa and Western Asia 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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