Green
Visualizing the Impact of Rising Sea Levels, by Country
Climate change is already causing sea levels to rise across the globe. In the 20th century alone, it’s estimated that the mean global sea level rose by 11-16 cm.
How much will sea levels change in the coming years, and how will it affect our population?
In the below series of visualizations by Florent Lavergne, we can see how rising sea levels could impact countries in terms of flood risk by the year 2100.
These graphics use data from a 2019 study by Scott Kulp and Benjamin Strauss. Their study used CoastalDEM—a 3D graphics tool used to measure a population’s potential exposure to extreme coastal water levels—and examined rising sea levels under different levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Flood Risk By Region
Which countries will be most severely affected by rising sea levels?
If things continue as they are, roughly 360 million people around the world could be at risk of annual flood events by 2100. Here’s what those figures look like across each region:
Africa
On the continent of Africa, one of the countries with the highest number of people at risk of coastal flooding is Egypt.
Over 95% of Egypt’s population lives along the Nile river, with some areas situated at extremely low elevations. The country’s lowest point is 133 m below sea level.
Asia
Asia’s population will be more heavily impacted by flooding than any other region included in the dataset.
According to the projections, 70% of the people that will be affected by rising sea levels are located in just eight Asian countries: China, Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Japan.
Europe
One of the most high-risk populations in Europe is the Netherlands. The country has a population of about 17 million, and as of 2019, about half of its population lives in areas below sea level.
The country’s lowest point, the town Nieuwekerk aan den Ijssel, is 6.8 m below sea level.
North America
In North America, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are expected to see the highest numbers of impacted people, due to the size of their populations.
But as a percentage of population, other countries in Central America and the Caribbean are more greatly at risk, especially in high emission scenarios. One country worth highlighting is the Bahamas. Even based on moderate emission levels, the country is expected to see a significant surge in the number of people at risk of flood.
According to the World Bank, this is because land in the Bahamas is relatively flat, making the island especially vulnerable to sea level rises and flooding.
South America
As South America’s largest country by population and with large coastal cities, Brazil‘s population is the most at risk for flood caused by rising sea levels.
Notably, thanks to a lot of mountainous terrain and municipalities situated on high elevation, no country in South America faces a flood risk impacting more than 1 million people.
Oceania
By 2100, Polynesian countries like Tonga are projected to see massive increases in the number of people at risk of flooding, even at moderate GHG emissions.
According to Reuters, sea levels in Tonga have been rising by 6 mm each year, which is nearly double the average global rate. The reason for this is because the islands sit in warmer waters, where sea level changes are more noticeable than at the poles.
What’s Causing Sea Levels to Rise?
Since 1975, average temperatures around the world have risen 0.15 to 0.20°C each decade, according to research by NASA.
This global heating has caused polar ice caps to begin melting—in just over two decades, we’ve lost roughly 28 trillion tonnes of our world’s ice. Over that same timeframe, global sea levels have risen by an average of 36 mm. These rising sea levels pose a number of risks, including soil contamination, loss of habitat, and flooding.
As countries are affected by climate change in different ways, and at different levels, the question becomes how they will respond in turn.

This article was published as a part of Visual Capitalist's Creator Program, which features data-driven visuals from some of our favorite Creators around the world.
Green
Visualized: The Economic Value of the Arctic
The economic value of the Arctic is rising as melting ice unlocks access to resources, shipping routes, and global trade opportunities.

Visualized: The Economic Value of the Arctic
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
Key Takeaways
- A 2017 study from Tanya O’Garra estimated that the Arctic provides approximately $281 billion per year (2016 USD) from its various resources
- Climate regulation (e.g. carbon storage) is by far the Arctic’s most valuable asset
The Arctic is gaining global attention as melting ice unlocks access to vast natural resources. From “ecosystem services” like climate regulation to lucrative mineral and oil reserves, this chilly region’s economic value is surprisingly large.
In this graphic, we break down the Arctic’s annual economic value based on the results of a 2017 study from Tanya O’Garra titled Economic Value of Ecosystem Services, Minerals, and Oil in a Melting Arctic.
Data and Methodology
The economic values of various Arctic resources were estimated using a combination of biophysical data and economic valuation techniques.
Category | Annual Value (2016 $B) |
---|---|
🍽️ Food | $1.5 |
⛏️ Oil & Minerals | $19.9 |
🏹 Hunting & Tourism | $1.01 |
🌎 Climate Regulation | $216.6 |
🎭 Cultural Value | $41.6 |
For climate regulation, the study assessed the Arctic’s role in carbon sequestration and its impact on global climate systems, assigning value based on the cost of carbon emissions and the benefits of climate stabilization.
Cultural values were evaluated through contingent valuation methods, which estimate individuals’ willingness to pay for the preservation of cultural and spiritual benefits associated with the Arctic environment.
The valuation of oil and minerals involved analyzing market prices, extraction costs, and the quantity of known reserves. Given the large variation in production costs for mining, it was assumed that 50% of mining revenue comprises costs.
Climate Change’s Impact on Economic Value
Global warming is expected to have varied effects on the Arctic’s economic value.
For example, retreating sea-ice could open up new shipping routes, fishing grounds, and areas for mineral exploration. On the flipside, increased resource extraction from the Arctic could also lead to more environmental disasters (e.g. pipeline leaks) and pollution.
Geopolitical competition is also ramping up in the region, as major economic powers like China, Russia, and the U.S. seek to secure shipping routes and resource access.
Learn More on the Voronoi App 
If you enjoyed this post, check out Countries With the Most Freshwater Resources on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.
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