Global number of reported disasters by size per decade in United States
United States: Global number of reported disasters by size per decade was 20 events in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Global number of reported disasters by size per decade in United States, 1900–2020
Source: EM-DAT, CRED / UCLouvain (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in events.
Analysis
The most recent figure for global number of reported disasters by size per decade in United States is 20 events, measured in 2020.
That represents a change of up 33.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, global number of reported disasters by size per decade in United States peaked at 46 events in 2000 and was at its lowest, 0 events, in 1900.
That places United States 1st out of 156 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.
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 | 2 events | 2 events | 2 events | 1 |
| 1980s | 11 events | 11 events | 11 events | 1 |
| 1990s | 37 events | 37 events | 37 events | 1 |
| 2000s | 46 events | 46 events | 46 events | 1 |
| 2010s | 15 events | 15 events | 15 events | 1 |
| 2020s | 20 events | 20 events | 20 events | 1 |
Countries ranked near United States
More reference data data for United States
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Frequently asked questions
- What is global number of reported disasters by size per decade in United States?
- Global number of reported disasters by size per decade in United States was 20 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 United States?
- The highest recorded value was 46 events in 2000.
- What is the lowest global number of reported disasters by size per decade recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 events in 1900.
- How does United States rank for global number of reported disasters by size per decade?
- United States ranks 1st out of 156 countries with data for 2020.
- Is global number of reported disasters by size per decade rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 33.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States 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.