State of the oceans 2023

To download this report free of charge and without registration, please click here.

In 2015, to combat the massive economic, social, and environmental challenges faced by our planet, governments worldwide under the auspices of the United Nations General Assembly set up 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a list of global goals intended to be achieved by 2030. It provides “a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future” (UN). SDG 14 was created to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. Of all the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 14 is by far the least funded, receiving 1.92 billion U.S. dollars in 2019. In comparison, SDG 15 – Life on land – received 5.8 billion U.S. dollars that same year.

Statista is proud to publish the State of the oceans report in cooperation with the German Ocean Foundation. The German Ocean Foundation is a non-profit organisation that aims to act as a moderator in the dialogue between policy-makers, industries such as energy, fisheries, and tourism, as well as fields such as conservation, science, and education.


This free report explores the current state of our worlds oceans. From pollution and habitat degradation to the impacts of climate change, Sustainable Development Goals, and the conservation and protection of marine environments. The report also includes an expert deepdive. The North Sea and Baltic Sea-focused German language counterpart report is available here.