Global number of reported disasters by size per decade in Australia
Australia: Global number of reported disasters by size per decade was 10 events in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Global number of reported disasters by size per decade in Australia, 1930–2020
Source: EM-DAT, CRED / UCLouvain (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in events.
Analysis
Australia recorded 10 events for global number of reported disasters by size per decade in 2020.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 150.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, global number of reported disasters by size per decade in Australia peaked at 20 events in 2000 and was at its lowest, 0 events, in 1930.
Australia ranks 8th of 157 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Global number of reported disasters by size per decade in Australia, year by year
| Year | events | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 | 0 events | — |
| 1940 | 0 events | — |
| 1950 | 0 events | — |
| 1960 | 0 events | — |
| 1970 | 1 events | — |
| 1980 | 0 events | -100.0% |
| 1990 | 4 events | — |
| 2000 | 20 events | +400.0% |
| 2010 | 4 events | -80.0% |
| 2020 | 10 events | +150.0% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 10 events is above the median for high income countries, which is 2 events, 5.0× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Australia's 10 events is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 2 events, 5.0× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 events | 0 events | 0 events | 1 |
| 1940s | 0 events | 0 events | 0 events | 1 |
| 1950s | 0 events | 0 events | 0 events | 1 |
| 1960s | 0 events | 0 events | 0 events | 1 |
| 1970s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1980s | 0 events | 0 events | 0 events | 1 |
| 1990s | 4 events | 4 events | 4 events | 1 |
| 2000s | 20 events | 20 events | 20 events | 1 |
| 2010s | 4 events | 4 events | 4 events | 1 |
| 2020s | 10 events | 10 events | 10 events | 1 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More reference data data for Australia
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.21 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 28.02 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 38.41 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 38.41 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 4.07 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 6.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 118.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 170.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 13.9 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is global number of reported disasters by size per decade in Australia?
- Global number of reported disasters by size per decade in Australia was 10 events in 2020, according to EM-DAT, CRED / UCLouvain (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest global number of reported disasters by size per decade recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 20 events in 2000.
- What is the lowest global number of reported disasters by size per decade recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 events in 1930.
- How does Australia rank for global number of reported disasters by size per decade?
- Australia ranks 8th out of 157 countries with data for 2020.
- Is global number of reported disasters by size per decade rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 150.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from EM-DAT, CRED / UCLouvain (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Global number of reported disasters by size per decade. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 10 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Reported disasters that result in no more than 5 deaths, affect no more than 1,500 people, and cause economic damages not exceeding 13 million current US dollars. The economic threshold for previous years is adjusted for inflation accordingly.