Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Australia

Australia: Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change was -7.2% in 2022. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2022)
-7.2%
Change on year
down 158.9%
World rank
209th
of 214 countries
All-time high
14.9%
in 2012
All-time low
-12.1%
in 2007
Years of data
18
2005–2022

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

-100102005201320222005: 3.42006: -6.62007: -12.12008: -4.72009: -62010: -5.92011: 42012: 14.92013: 13.62014: 11.12015: 7.12016: -2.22017: -7.72018: -4.92019: -32020: -6.52021: -2.82022: -7.2

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

Australia recorded -7.2% for lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in 2022.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 158.9% on the previous year and down 148.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Australia peaked at 14.9% in 2012 and was at its lowest, -12.1%, in 2007.

That places Australia 209th out of 214 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, year by year

Annual values for Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change (%) in Australia, 2005 to 2022.
Year Value Change
2005 3.4%
2006 -6.6% -295.8%
2007 -12.1% +81.9%
2008 -4.7% -60.7%
2009 -6.0% +26.8%
2010 -5.9% -1.8%
2011 4.0% -168.5%
2012 14.9% +268.2%
2013 13.6% -8.7%
2014 11.1% -18.7%
2015 7.1% -36.2%
2016 -2.2% -131.5%
2017 -7.7% +246.3%
2018 -4.9% -35.9%
2019 -3.0% -38.4%
2020 -6.5% +115.2%
2021 -2.8% -57.7%
2022 -7.2% +158.9%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s -5.2% -12.1% 3.4% 5
2010s 2.7% -7.7% 14.9% 10
2020s -5.5% -7.2% -2.8% 3

Countries ranked near Australia

  1. 206 Trinidad and Tobago -0.3% compare
  2. 207 American Samoa -6.0% compare
  3. 208 Australia and New Zealand -6.9% compare
  4. 210 Hungary -7.2% compare
  5. 211 Solomon Islands -9.2% compare
  6. 212 Uruguay -16.6% compare

See the full ranking of 272 places →

More environment data for Australia

All data for Australia →

Frequently asked questions

What is lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Australia?
Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Australia was -7.2% 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?
The highest recorded value was 14.9% in 2012.
What is the lowest lakes and rivers seasonal water area change recorded in Australia?
The lowest recorded value was -12.1% in 2007.
How does Australia rank for lakes and rivers seasonal water area change?
Australia ranks 209th out of 214 countries with data for 2022.
Is lakes and rivers seasonal water area change rising or falling in Australia?
Over the last ten years it is down 148.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Australia 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. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 31 August 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/stat/lakes-and-rivers-seasonal-water-area-change-percent/australia/

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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
272 places, 4,894 data points, 2005–2022
Last refreshed