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Freshwater withdrawal — all countries

Freshwater withdrawal — Southern Africa

Freshwater withdrawal in Southern Africa in 2022 — 22.54 km³. Since 1985, the indicator has risen by 2,192.2%.

2022 23 km³ +0.89% vs 2021
World rank —
Period maximum 23 km³2022
Period minimum 1 km³1985

Trend over time

1985–2022 · km³ per year

Freshwater withdrawal — Southern Africa, 1985–2022010203019851989199319972001200520092013201720211985: 0.98 km³1986: 1.02 km³1987: 1.11 km³1988: 1.15 km³1989: 1.19 km³1990: 14.53 km³1991: 14.48 km³1992: 14.43 km³1993: 14.38 km³1994: 14.34 km³1995: 14.29 km³1996: 14.29 km³1997: 14.31 km³1998: 14.32 km³1999: 14.34 km³2000: 14.31 km³2001: 14.52 km³2002: 14.73 km³2003: 14.94 km³2004: 15.15 km³2005: 15.36 km³2006: 15.56 km³2007: 15.77 km³2008: 15.97 km³2009: 16.18 km³2010: 16.38 km³2011: 16.58 km³2012: 16.78 km³2013: 15.77 km³2014: 17.95 km³2015: 20.12 km³2016: 20.51 km³2017: 20.83 km³2018: 21.09 km³2019: 21.44 km³2020: 21.76 km³2021: 22.34 km³2022: 22.54 km³
Change over the period: +22 (+2,192.2%) Average annual rate: 8.83 %

Comparison, 2022

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Southern Africa

Southern Africa 23 km³
World 3,853 km³
Freshwater withdrawal — Southern Africa, by year Southern Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year km³ Change Change, %
2022 23 +0 +0.89%
2021 22 +1 +2.65%
2020 22 +0 +1.49%
2019 21 +0 +1.66%
2018 21 +0 +1.26%
2017 21 +0 +1.57%
2016 21 +0 +1.91%
2015 20 +2 +12.14%
2014 18 +2 +13.79%
2013 16 −1 −6.04%
2012 17 +0 +1.21%
2011 17 +0 +1.25%
2010 16 +0 +1.26%
2009 16 +0 +1.28%
2008 16 +0 +1.29%
2007 16 +0 +1.31%
2006 16 +0 +1.33%
2005 15 +0 +1.38%
2004 15 +0 +1.4%
2003 15 +0 +1.42%
2002 15 +0 +1.44%
2001 15 +0 +1.46%
2000 14 −0 −0.16%
1999 14 +0 +0.1%
1998 14 +0 +0.1%
1997 14 +0 +0.1%
1996 14 +0 +0.01%
1995 14 −0 −0.33%
1994 14 −0 −0.32%
1993 14 −0 −0.32%
1992 14 −0 −0.37%
1991 14 −0 −0.28%
1990 15 +13 +1,115.78%
1989 1 +0 +3.49%
1988 1 +0 +3.59%
1987 1 +0 +8.85%
1986 1 +0 +4.13%
1985 1 — —

About the indicator

Annual freshwater withdrawal for all uses: irrigation, industry, municipal supply. More than two-thirds of global withdrawal goes to agriculture, so the volume is tied more closely to the area under irrigation than to the number of residents or the size of industry. Withdrawal is not consumption: part of the water returns to water bodies, though usually in worse condition.

Important: Withdrawal, not consumptive use. It can exceed a country's own renewable resources: the country then takes water from across the border, from non-renewable groundwater, or desalinates it.

Source: FAOSTAT (FAO), license CC BY 4.0.

Other indicators for Southern Africa

Environment Freshwater withdrawal as a share of resources

How much water is withdrawn relative to the internal resources available.

Southern Africa by year Environment Renewable water resources

How much water a country's own annual cycle gives it — with no inflow from abroad.

Southern Africa by year Agriculture Irrigated land

The share of agricultural land equipped for irrigation.

Southern Africa by year Environment Forest cover

What share of a country's territory is covered by forest.

Southern Africa by year Environment Forest area

The absolute area of forest in square kilometers.

Southern Africa by year Environment Protected areas

The share of land and sea under protection — nature reserves, national parks, sanctuaries.

Southern Africa by year
All indicators for Southern Africa