Annual freshwater withdrawals, total in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)
Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries): Annual freshwater withdrawals, total was 132.54 billion cubic meters in 2022. ▲ Rising
Annual freshwater withdrawals, total in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries), 2014–2022
Source: AQUASTAT - FAO's Global Information System on Water and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in billion cubic meters.
Analysis
The most recent figure for annual freshwater withdrawals, total in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) is 132.54 billion cubic meters, measured in 2022. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
The figure is up 0.2% on the previous year and up 7.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual freshwater withdrawals, total in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) peaked at 132.54 billion cubic meters in 2022 and was at its lowest, 123 billion cubic meters, in 2014.
Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) ranks 36th of 46 groups on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Annual freshwater withdrawals, total in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries), year by year
| Year | billion cubic meters | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 123 billion cubic meters | — |
| 2015 | 125.79 billion cubic meters | +2.3% |
| 2016 | 127.36 billion cubic meters | +1.2% |
| 2017 | 127.51 billion cubic meters | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 129.64 billion cubic meters | +1.7% |
| 2019 | 130.7 billion cubic meters | +0.8% |
| 2020 | 131.76 billion cubic meters | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 132.3 billion cubic meters | +0.4% |
| 2022 | 132.54 billion cubic meters | +0.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 127.33 billion cubic meters | 123 billion cubic meters | 130.7 billion cubic meters | 6 |
| 2020s | 132.2 billion cubic meters | 131.76 billion cubic meters | 132.54 billion cubic meters | 3 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)
- 33 Saudi Arabia 23.38 billion cubic meters compare
- 34 Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of 22.62 billion cubic meters compare
- 35 South Africa 21.11 billion cubic meters compare
- 36 Afghanistan 20.28 billion cubic meters compare
- 37 Syrian Arab Republic 13.96 billion cubic meters compare
- 38 Madagascar 13.46 billion cubic meters compare
- 39 Azerbaijan 13.03 billion cubic meters compare
More climate change data for Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)
- Population growth 2.4% (2025)
- Population, total 1.32 billion (2025)
- Urban population growth 3.6% (2025)
- Urban population 590.23 million (2025)
- Urban population 44.7% (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 16.3% (2025)
- Annual freshwater withdrawals, total 3.4% (2022)
- Terrestrial protected areas 17.3% (2025)
- Terrestrial and marine protected areas 14.0% (2025)
- Marine protected areas 7.1% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual freshwater withdrawals, total in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- Annual freshwater withdrawals, total in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) was 132.54 billion cubic meters in 2022, according to AQUASTAT - FAO's Global Information System on Water and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest annual freshwater withdrawals, total recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- The highest recorded value was 132.54 billion cubic meters in 2022.
- What is the lowest annual freshwater withdrawals, total recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- The lowest recorded value was 123 billion cubic meters in 2014.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) rank for annual freshwater withdrawals, total?
- Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) ranks 36th out of 46 groups with data for 2022.
- Is annual freshwater withdrawals, total rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) data come from?
- The figures come from AQUASTAT - FAO's Global Information System on Water and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Annual freshwater withdrawals, total (billion cubic meters). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Annual freshwater withdrawals refer to total water withdrawals, not counting evaporation losses from storage basins. Withdrawals also include water from desalination plants in countries where they are a significant source. Withdrawals can exceed 100 percent of total renewable resources where extraction from nonrenewable aquifers or desalination plants is considerable or where there is significant water reuse. Withdrawals for agriculture and industry are total withdrawals for irrigation and livestock production and for direct industrial use (including withdrawals for cooling thermoelectric plants). Withdrawals for domestic uses include drinking water, municipal use or supply, and use for public services, commercial establishments, and homes.