Renewable water availability per person declined by 7 percent over the past decade, dropping from 5,719 to 5,326 cubic meters. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights this trend in its 2025 AQUASTAT Water Data Snapshot, signaling growing pressure on freshwater resources worldwide. What drives this decline amid rising regional demands?
Renewable water refers to freshwater naturally replenished through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation in rivers and aquifers. Population growth and increasing withdrawals exacerbate scarcity in vulnerable areas.
Regional Hotspots Face Extreme Water Stress
Northern Africa maintains among the lowest per capita freshwater globally, with withdrawals rising 16 percent in ten years. Western Asia, including most Middle Eastern nations, contends with rapid population growth and agricultural needs straining limited supplies. Countries like Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, and Yemen rank lowest in renewable water resources per person.
Agriculture consumes 72 percent of global freshwater withdrawals, with 66 countries allocating over 75 percent to farming—reaching 95 percent in places like Afghanistan, Mali, and Sudan. Urbanization and irrigated crop expansion intensify competition even in water-richer regions.
Irrigation Gaps and Efficiency Progress
Sub-Saharan Africa lags in irrigation, covering only a small fraction of cropland due to infrastructure deficits. Latin America and Asia rely heavily on irrigation for production, revealing stark access disparities. However, water-use efficiency improved overall, per SDG 6.4 indicators on efficiency and stress.
High or very high water stress persists where withdrawals exceed renewable supplies, underscoring needs for sustainable management and resilience-building. FAO’s data demands urgent action to balance growing demands with sustainable supplies, preventing deeper scarcity crises.
Q&A: Key Insights from AQUASTAT 2025
Q: Why did per capita water availability fall 7 percent?
A: Population growth outpaced renewable freshwater replenishment, reducing availability from 5,719 to 5,326 cubic meters per person.
Q: Which sectors drive highest water use?
A: Agriculture dominates at 72 percent globally, especially in 66 countries exceeding 75 percent allocation.
Q: What progress shows in water management?
A: Overall efficiency gains per SDG 6.4, though stress levels remain critical in many nations.
Q: Which regions suffer most?
A: Northern Africa, Western Asia, and Southern Asia face lowest per capita resources and rising withdrawals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is renewable water in AQUASTAT terms?
A1: Freshwater annually replenished via the hydrologic cycle in rivers, lakes, and groundwater.
Q2: How does agriculture impact global water stress?
A2: It accounts for 72 percent of withdrawals, straining basins in high-demand regions like Northern Africa.
Q3: What are SDG 6.4 indicators?
A3: They track water-use efficiency and stress levels to guide sustainable management.
Q4: Why focus on irrigation disparities?
A4: Sub-Saharan Africa irrigates little cropland compared to Asia and Latin America, highlighting infrastructure gaps.
Q5: What solutions does the snapshot imply?
A5: Boost efficiency, reduce stress through better practices, and enhance data for SDG monitoring.
