Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Southern Africa
Southern Africa: Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change was 44.2% in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Southern Africa, 2005–2022
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2022, lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Southern Africa stood at 44.2%. That is the highest value across all 18 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 8.0% on the previous year and up 165.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Southern Africa peaked at 44.2% in 2022 and was at its lowest, -9.3%, in 2006.
Southern Africa ranks 20th of 39 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Southern Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | -7.9% | — |
| 2006 | -9.3% | +17.7% |
| 2007 | -6.1% | -35.0% |
| 2008 | -2.9% | -52.6% |
| 2009 | 5.3% | -285.3% |
| 2010 | 8.2% | +53.8% |
| 2011 | 16.5% | +102.1% |
| 2012 | 16.6% | +0.6% |
| 2013 | 14.5% | -12.5% |
| 2014 | 10.8% | -25.5% |
| 2015 | 9.0% | -17.2% |
| 2016 | 6.9% | -23.0% |
| 2017 | 9.7% | +39.8% |
| 2018 | 23.7% | +145.5% |
| 2019 | 34.0% | +43.5% |
| 2020 | 32.0% | -5.9% |
| 2021 | 40.9% | +27.6% |
| 2022 | 44.2% | +8.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | -4.2% | -9.3% | 5.3% | 5 |
| 2010s | 15.0% | 6.9% | 34.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 39.0% | 32.0% | 44.2% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Southern Africa
- 17 Cabo Verde 184.6% compare
- 18 Polynesia 184.0% compare
- 19 Northern Mariana Islands 179.8% compare
- 20 Vanuatu 179.2% compare
- 21 Mayotte 174.7% compare
- 22 Dominica 174.1% compare
- 23 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 165.5% compare
- 23 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 165.5% compare
More environment data for Southern Africa
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 7.61 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 4.17 Percentage change (2025)
- Temperature change 0.892 °C (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.282 °C (2025)
- Industrial roundwood — Export quantity 427,327 m3 (2024)
- Industrial roundwood, non-coniferous — Production 9.63 million m3 (2024)
- Industrial roundwood — Import value 35,013 1000 USD (2024)
- Industrial roundwood — Import quantity 161,260 m3 (2024)
- Industrial roundwood — Production 17.26 million m3 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Southern Africa?
- Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in Southern Africa was 44.2% in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest lakes and rivers seasonal water area change recorded in Southern Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 44.2% in 2022.
- What is the lowest lakes and rivers seasonal water area change recorded in Southern Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -9.3% in 2006.
- How does Southern Africa rank for lakes and rivers seasonal water area change?
- Southern Africa ranks 20th out of 39 groups with data for 2022.
- Is lakes and rivers seasonal water area change rising or falling in Southern Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 165.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Southern 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).