The Netherlands Has the Highest Risk of Major Flooding in the World; What About Indonesia?

Major floods have devastated countries worldwide, such as the floods in Pakistan that submerged a third of the country. According to a Nature report, nations with extensive coastlines, river systems, and flatlands have a higher percentage of their populations at risk of catastrophic flooding.

The Netherlands and Bangladesh are two countries where over half the population is at risk of major flooding, at 59% and 58% respectively. This is followed by Vietnam (46%), Egypt (41%), and Myanmar (40%), completing the top five.

Besides the Netherlands, only two other European countries are among the top 20 based on the percentage of population at risk: Austria (29%) and Albania (28%). Indonesia ranks 23rd, with 27.0% of its population at risk of major flooding.

Major flooding is another term for a "100-year flood," also called a "1 percent flood," as the chance of occurrence each year is only 1 in 100. This type of disaster occurs, in part, due to rising sea levels. The methodology in this research considers the potential risk of both inland and coastal flooding.

Flooding causes not only human casualties but also significant economic losses. According to Nature, droughts, floods, and storms caused US$224.2 billion in economic losses worldwide last year, almost double the 2001-2020 annual average of US$117.8 billion.

A recent report estimates that water-related risks (caused by droughts, floods, and storms) could cost US$5.6 trillion from the global GDP by 2050, with floods projected to account for 36% of these direct losses.

Because human and economic losses from flooding continue to rise, countries worldwide need to focus on preventative infrastructure and restorative solutions for ecosystems and communities already impacted and most at risk of flooding.