Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in World

World: Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change was 37.5% in 2022. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2022)
37.5%
Change on year
down 1.6%
Rank
22nd
of 34 groups
All-time high
38.1%
in 2021
All-time low
-4.1%
in 2005
Years of data
18
2005–2022

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

0102030402005201320222005: -4.12006: -3.92007: -3.42008: -0.4222009: 2.92010: 3.82011: 4.82012: 6.52013: 2.72014: 4.62015: 6.82016: 8.62017: 14.32018: 24.42019: 29.22020: 32.92021: 38.12022: 37.5

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

World recorded 37.5% for lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in 2022.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.6% on the previous year and up 478.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in World peaked at 38.1% in 2021 and was at its lowest, -4.1%, in 2005.

World ranks 22nd of 34 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 World, year by year

Annual values for Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change (%) in World, 2005 to 2022.
Year Value Change
2005 -4.1%
2006 -3.9% -5.1%
2007 -3.4% -12.3%
2008 -0.4% -87.7%
2009 2.9% -782.8%
2010 3.8% +33.1%
2011 4.8% +25.7%
2012 6.5% +34.5%
2013 2.7% -58.2%
2014 4.6% +71.4%
2015 6.8% +46.8%
2016 8.6% +26.1%
2017 14.3% +66.8%
2018 24.4% +70.6%
2019 29.2% +19.5%
2020 32.9% +12.7%
2021 38.1% +15.9%
2022 37.5% -1.6%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s -1.8% -4.1% 2.9% 5
2010s 10.6% 2.7% 29.2% 10
2020s 36.2% 32.9% 38.1% 3

Countries ranked near World

  1. 19 Jordan 163.9% compare
  2. 20 Tonga 160.6% compare
  3. 21 Djibouti 159.7% compare
  4. 22 Guam 155.3% compare
  5. 23 Isle of Man 154.3% compare
  6. 24 Nauru 153.4% compare
  7. 25 Réunion 153.0% compare

See the full ranking of 272 places →

More environment data for World

All data for World →

Frequently asked questions

What is lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in World?
Lakes and rivers seasonal water area change in World was 37.5% in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest lakes and rivers seasonal water area change recorded in World?
The highest recorded value was 38.1% in 2021.
What is the lowest lakes and rivers seasonal water area change recorded in World?
The lowest recorded value was -4.1% in 2005.
How does World rank for lakes and rivers seasonal water area change?
World ranks 22nd out of 34 groups with data for 2022.
Is lakes and rivers seasonal water area change rising or falling in World?
Over the last ten years it is up 478.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this World 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 World. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 28 August 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/stat/lakes-and-rivers-seasonal-water-area-change-percent/world/

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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