Global number of flood disasters 1990-2023

In 2023, there were 170 flood disaster events recorded worldwide. This marks a slight decrease from the 176 disasters in 2022 but remains significantly higher than the average 86 floods per year reported in the 1990s. The peak in the past three decades occurred in 2006, with 226 flood disasters.

Devastating human and economic toll

Floods continue to take a heavy toll on human lives and economies worldwide. In 2023, approximately 32 million people were impacted by flooding, including injuries and displacement. Although the number of people affected by floods has decreased since the beginning of the century, due in large part to an improvement in flood protection, better warning systems, and forecasting, the economic burden they cause has increased. Economic loss caused by floods amounted to 453 billion U.S. dollars in the past decade, the highest since the 1970s. Five of the ten costliest floods since 1900 have occurred after 2010, underscoring the increasing financial burden of these events.

Regional disparities in flood impact

The impact of floods varies significantly across regions. In 2023, Africa bore the brunt of flood-related fatalities, accounting for over 50 percent of global flood deaths. Asia also suffered severely, with over 2,000 casualties in 2023. Southeast Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Thailand, are among the most exposed to river flood risk worldwide due to factors such as low elevations, frequent tropical cyclones, and prolonged monsoons.