Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand: Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change was -6.9% in 2022. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2022)
-6.9%
Change on year
down 164.8%
World rank
241st
of 247 countries
All-time high
14.8%
in 2012
All-time low
-11.8%
in 2007
Years of data
18
2005–2022

Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Australia and New Zealand, 2005–2022

-100102005201320222005: 3.42006: -6.52007: -11.82008: -4.62009: -5.82010: -5.72011: 4.12012: 14.82013: 13.52014: 112015: 7.12016: -22017: -7.52018: -4.72019: -2.82020: -6.32021: -2.62022: -6.9

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

The most recent figure for lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Australia and New Zealand is -6.9%, measured in 2022.

That represents a change of down 164.8% on the previous year and down 146.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Australia and New Zealand peaked at 14.8% in 2012 and was at its lowest, -11.8%, in 2007.

That places Australia and New Zealand 241st out of 247 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the bottom quarter.

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

Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Australia and New Zealand, year by year

Annual values for Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change (%) in Australia and New Zealand, 2005 to 2022.
Year Value Change
2005 3.4%
2006 -6.5% -291.0%
2007 -11.8% +82.0%
2008 -4.6% -61.5%
2009 -5.8% +27.8%
2010 -5.7% -1.5%
2011 4.1% -171.7%
2012 14.8% +260.3%
2013 13.5% -8.9%
2014 11.0% -18.5%
2015 7.1% -35.5%
2016 -2.0% -128.4%
2017 -7.5% +268.7%
2018 -4.7% -37.3%
2019 -2.8% -39.8%
2020 -6.3% +124.0%
2021 -2.6% -58.6%
2022 -6.9% +164.8%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s -5.1% -11.8% 3.4% 5
2010s 2.8% -7.5% 14.8% 10
2020s -5.3% -6.9% -2.6% 3

Countries ranked near Australia and New Zealand

  1. 239 Trinidad and Tobago -0.3% compare
  2. 240 American Samoa -6.0% compare
  3. 242 Australia -7.2% compare
  4. 243 Hungary -7.2% compare
  5. 244 Solomon Islands -9.2% compare

See the full ranking of 286 places →

More environment data for Australia and New Zealand

All data for Australia and New Zealand →

Frequently asked questions

What is lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Australia and New Zealand?
Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Australia and New Zealand was -6.9% in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest lakes and rivers seasonal water area change recorded in Australia and New Zealand?
The highest recorded value was 14.8% in 2012.
What is the lowest lakes and rivers seasonal water area change recorded in Australia and New Zealand?
The lowest recorded value was -11.8% in 2007.
How does Australia and New Zealand rank for lakes and rivers seasonal water area change?
Australia and New Zealand ranks 241st out of 247 countries with data for 2022.
Is lakes and rivers seasonal water area change rising or falling in Australia and New Zealand?
Over the last ten years it is down 146.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Australia and New Zealand data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Australia and New Zealand. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 14 September 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/stat/lakes-and-rivers-seasonal-water-area-change-percent/australia-and-new-zealand/

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About this data

Indicator
Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change (%)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
286 places, 5,146 data points, 2005–2022
Last refreshed