Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in South Africa
South Africa: Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change was 25.8% in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in South Africa, 2005–2022
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in %.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 25.8% for lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in 2022. That is the highest value across all 18 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 39.6% on the previous year and up 4,145.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in South Africa peaked at 25.8% in 2022 and was at its lowest, -4.3%, in 2006.
South Africa ranks 203rd of 247 countries on this measure, 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 South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | -2.9% | — |
| 2006 | -4.3% | +47.6% |
| 2007 | -1.1% | -74.1% |
| 2008 | -3.2% | +190.5% |
| 2009 | -0.8% | -74.9% |
| 2010 | -1.2% | +55.5% |
| 2011 | 1.5% | -221.4% |
| 2012 | -0.6% | -142.1% |
| 2013 | -1.0% | +63.4% |
| 2014 | 1.8% | -269.6% |
| 2015 | 6.8% | +281.9% |
| 2016 | 9.8% | +44.4% |
| 2017 | 9.4% | -3.5% |
| 2018 | 15.7% | +66.4% |
| 2019 | 18.3% | +16.7% |
| 2020 | 17.3% | -5.2% |
| 2021 | 18.5% | +6.7% |
| 2022 | 25.8% | +39.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | -2.5% | -4.3% | -0.8% | 5 |
| 2010s | 6.0% | -1.2% | 18.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 20.5% | 17.3% | 25.8% | 3 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More environment data for South Africa
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 5.46 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 8.52 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.275 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.05 °C (2025)
- Sawlogs and veneer logs — Production, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Sawlogs and veneer logs, non-coniferous — Production, annual growth 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Other industrial roundwood — Production, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Other industrial roundwood, non-coniferous (production) — Production 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Wood charcoal — Production, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in South Africa?
- Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in South Africa was 25.8% in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest lakes and rivers seasonal water area change recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 25.8% in 2022.
- What is the lowest lakes and rivers seasonal water area change recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -4.3% in 2006.
- How does South Africa rank for lakes and rivers seasonal water area change?
- South Africa ranks 203rd out of 247 countries with data for 2022.
- Is lakes and rivers seasonal water area change rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4,145.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 18 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).