Global number of reported disasters by size per decade in New Zealand
New Zealand: Global number of reported disasters by size per decade was 5 events in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Global number of reported disasters by size per decade in New Zealand, 1920–2020
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 New Zealand stood at 5 events.
That represents a change of up 400.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, global number of reported disasters by size per decade in New Zealand peaked at 13 events in 1980 and was at its lowest, 0 events, in 1920.
That places New Zealand 23rd out of 157 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the top quarter.
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 New Zealand, year by year
| Year | events | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 0 events | — |
| 1930 | 0 events | — |
| 1950 | 0 events | — |
| 1960 | 0 events | — |
| 1970 | 4 events | — |
| 1980 | 13 events | +225.0% |
| 1990 | 6 events | -53.8% |
| 2000 | 5 events | -16.7% |
| 2010 | 1 events | -80.0% |
| 2020 | 5 events | +400.0% |
New Zealand compared with similar countries
- New Zealand's 5 events is above the median for high income countries, which is 2 events, 2.5× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- New Zealand's 5 events is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 2 events, 2.5× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 0 events | 0 events | 0 events | 1 |
| 1930s | 0 events | 0 events | 0 events | 1 |
| 1950s | 0 events | 0 events | 0 events | 1 |
| 1960s | 0 events | 0 events | 0 events | 1 |
| 1970s | 4 events | 4 events | 4 events | 1 |
| 1980s | 13 events | 13 events | 13 events | 1 |
| 1990s | 6 events | 6 events | 6 events | 1 |
| 2000s | 5 events | 5 events | 5 events | 1 |
| 2010s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 2020s | 5 events | 5 events | 5 events | 1 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More reference data data for New Zealand
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.4532 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 9.92 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 10.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0459 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 10.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.52 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.53 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 42.17 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 47.53 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.2499 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is global number of reported disasters by size per decade in New Zealand?
- Global number of reported disasters by size per decade in New Zealand was 5 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 New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 13 events in 1980.
- What is the lowest global number of reported disasters by size per decade recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 events in 1920.
- How does New Zealand rank for global number of reported disasters by size per decade?
- New Zealand ranks 23rd out of 157 countries with data for 2020.
- Is global number of reported disasters by size per decade rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is up 400.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this New Zealand 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.
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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.