River flow maximum in South Africa
South Africa: River flow maximum was 209,164 m3 per sec in 2024. ▲ Rising
River flow maximum in South Africa, 2005–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in m3 per sec.
Analysis
In 2024, river flow maximum in South Africa stood at 209,164 m3 per sec. That is the highest value across all 20 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 6.0% on the previous year and up 125.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, river flow maximum in South Africa peaked at 209,164 m3 per sec in 2024 and was at its lowest, 68,554 m3 per sec, in 2020.
That places South Africa 53rd out of 234 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 20 years of available data.
River flow maximum in South Africa, year by year
| Year | m3 per sec | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 127,771 m3 per sec | — |
| 2006 | 69,335 m3 per sec | -45.7% |
| 2007 | 81,253 m3 per sec | +17.2% |
| 2008 | 74,772 m3 per sec | -8.0% |
| 2009 | 81,010 m3 per sec | +8.3% |
| 2010 | 84,416 m3 per sec | +4.2% |
| 2011 | 94,883 m3 per sec | +12.4% |
| 2012 | 93,958 m3 per sec | -1.0% |
| 2013 | 94,527 m3 per sec | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 92,956 m3 per sec | -1.7% |
| 2015 | 115,246 m3 per sec | +24.0% |
| 2016 | 103,047 m3 per sec | -10.6% |
| 2017 | 77,537 m3 per sec | -24.8% |
| 2018 | 95,692 m3 per sec | +23.4% |
| 2019 | 96,895 m3 per sec | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 68,554 m3 per sec | -29.2% |
| 2021 | 74,620 m3 per sec | +8.8% |
| 2022 | 141,735 m3 per sec | +89.9% |
| 2023 | 197,261 m3 per sec | +39.2% |
| 2024 | 209,164 m3 per sec | +6.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 209,164 m3 per sec is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 35,383 m3 per sec, 5.9× the median. (51 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 209,164 m3 per sec is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 129,437 m3 per sec, 1.6× the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 86,828 m3 per sec | 69,335 m3 per sec | 127,771 m3 per sec | 5 |
| 2010s | 94,916 m3 per sec | 77,537 m3 per sec | 115,246 m3 per sec | 10 |
| 2020s | 138,267 m3 per sec | 68,554 m3 per sec | 209,164 m3 per sec | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More development goals data for South Africa
- Red List Index 0.8693 index (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 1.8 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 651.49 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 105 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 101 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 33 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 40 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 56 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 61 (2025)
- Infant deaths 28,570 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is river flow maximum in South Africa?
- River flow maximum in South Africa was 209,164 m3 per sec in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest river flow maximum recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 209,164 m3 per sec in 2024.
- What is the lowest river flow maximum recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 68,554 m3 per sec in 2020.
- How does South Africa rank for river flow maximum?
- South Africa ranks 53rd out of 234 countries with data for 2024.
- Is river flow maximum rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 125.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of River flow maximum (m3/s). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 20 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).