Global Average Rainfall
Last updated: January 19, 2026
990 mm
mm/year
The global average annual rainfall on land is approximately 990 mm. Precipitation patterns vary enormously, from deserts receiving under 25 mm to tropical regions exceeding 3,000 mm.
Why This Average Exists
Rainfall data is critical for agriculture, water resource management, flood risk assessment, and understanding climate patterns.
Factors That Affect Global Average Rainfall
- Ocean temperatures
- Atmospheric circulation
- Topography
- Deforestation
- Climate change
- El Niño/La Niña cycles
Methodology & Data Sources
The data presented on this page is compiled from publicly available datasets published by international organizations including the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations, NASA, and national statistical agencies.
Global averages are calculated using population-weighted or arithmetic means depending on the metric. Country-level data reflects the most recent available figures, typically from 2023–2024. Where gaps exist, the latest available data point is used.
All figures are subject to revision as source organizations update their datasets. For the most authoritative data, we encourage consulting the original sources linked in the table above.
Further Reading
- Global Average Temperature— 15.0°C °C
- Global Average Ocean Temperature— 17.1°C °C
- Global Average Carbon Footprint— 4.7 tonnes tonnes CO₂/year
- Global Average Sea Level Rise— 3.7 mm/yr mm/year
- Global Average CO₂ Emissions Per Capita— 4.7 tonnes tonnes/year
- Global Average Water Consumption— 137 L/day liters/day
- Global Average Wind Speed— 3.3 m/s m/s
- Global Average Humidity— 77% %