Municipal waste generated in Australia
Australia: Municipal waste generated was 13.48 million in 2023. ▬ Flat
Latest (2023)
13.48 million
Change on year
down 1.1%
World rank
20th
of 80 countries
All-time high
14.19 million
in 2015
All-time low
12.73 million
in 2007
Years of data
18
2000–2023
Municipal waste generated in Australia, 2000–2023
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
The most recent figure for municipal waste generated in Australia is 13.48 million, measured in 2023.
The figure is down 1.1% on the previous year and down 1.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, municipal waste generated in Australia peaked at 14.19 million in 2015 and was at its lowest, 12.73 million, in 2007.
That places Australia 20th out of 80 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
Municipal waste generated in Australia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 13.20 million | — |
| 2007 | 12.73 million | -3.6% |
| 2008 | 13.10 million | +2.9% |
| 2009 | 13.12 million | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 13.46 million | +2.7% |
| 2011 | 13.31 million | -1.2% |
| 2012 | 13.57 million | +2.0% |
| 2013 | 13.69 million | +0.9% |
| 2014 | 14.09 million | +2.9% |
| 2015 | 14.19 million | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 13.37 million | -5.8% |
| 2017 | 12.85 million | -3.9% |
| 2018 | 12.90 million | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 12.92 million | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 13.20 million | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 13.45 million | +1.9% |
| 2022 | 13.63 million | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 13.48 million | -1.1% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 13.48 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 4.12 million, 3.3× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Australia's 13.48 million is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 13.71 million, 98% of the median. (10 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 13.04 million | 12.73 million | 13.20 million | 4 |
| 2010s | 13.44 million | 12.85 million | 14.19 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 13.44 million | 13.20 million | 13.63 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More environment data for Australia
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -4.75 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -5.98 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.345 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.4 °C (2025)
- Wood-based panels — Production, annual growth rate -1.03 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.6708 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 0.0861 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is municipal waste generated in Australia?
- Municipal waste generated in Australia was 13.48 million in 2023, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest municipal waste generated recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 14.19 million in 2015.
- What is the lowest municipal waste generated recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.73 million in 2007.
- How does Australia rank for municipal waste generated?
- Australia ranks 20th out of 80 countries with data for 2023.
- Is municipal waste generated rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Municipal waste generated (Tonnes). 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).