Global number of reported disasters by size per decade in China
China: Global number of reported disasters by size per decade was 7 events in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Global number of reported disasters by size per decade in China, 1900–2020
Source: EM-DAT, CRED / UCLouvain (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in events.
Analysis
In 2020, global number of reported disasters by size per decade in China stood at 7 events.
That represents a change of up 75.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, global number of reported disasters by size per decade in China peaked at 9 events in 2000 and was at its lowest, 0 events, in 1900.
That places China 15th out of 157 countries with data for 2020, putting it 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 China, year by year
| Year | events | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 0 events | — |
| 1910 | 0 events | — |
| 1920 | 0 events | — |
| 1930 | 0 events | — |
| 1940 | 0 events | — |
| 1950 | 1 events | — |
| 1960 | 0 events | -100.0% |
| 1970 | 1 events | — |
| 1980 | 2 events | +100.0% |
| 1990 | 6 events | +200.0% |
| 2000 | 9 events | +50.0% |
| 2010 | 4 events | -55.6% |
| 2020 | 7 events | +75.0% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 7 events is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2 events, 3.5× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- China's 7 events is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 2 events, 3.5× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 0 events | 0 events | 0 events | 1 |
| 1910s | 0 events | 0 events | 0 events | 1 |
| 1920s | 0 events | 0 events | 0 events | 1 |
| 1930s | 0 events | 0 events | 0 events | 1 |
| 1940s | 0 events | 0 events | 0 events | 1 |
| 1950s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1960s | 0 events | 0 events | 0 events | 1 |
| 1970s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1980s | 2 events | 2 events | 2 events | 1 |
| 1990s | 6 events | 6 events | 6 events | 1 |
| 2000s | 9 events | 9 events | 9 events | 1 |
| 2010s | 4 events | 4 events | 4 events | 1 |
| 2020s | 7 events | 7 events | 7 events | 1 |
Countries ranked near China
More reference data data for China
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 49.4 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 75.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 303.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 18.8 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 303.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 165.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 206.2 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 350.74 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1,480 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 102.37 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is global number of reported disasters by size per decade in China?
- Global number of reported disasters by size per decade in China was 7 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 China?
- The highest recorded value was 9 events in 2000.
- What is the lowest global number of reported disasters by size per decade recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 events in 1900.
- How does China rank for global number of reported disasters by size per decade?
- China ranks 15th out of 157 countries with data for 2020.
- Is global number of reported disasters by size per decade rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 75.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China 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 — 13 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.