Renewable water availability per person plunges 7 percent in a decade as global scarcity deepens, FAO data shows | FAO News

Rome – Renewable water availability per person has continued to decline by a further 7 per cent over the past decade, while pressure on already scarce freshwater resources is increasing in several regions, according to the 2025 AQUASTAT Water Data Snapshot released by the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The update provides a global overview of how water availability & use are evolving, presenting new data on irrigation, efficiency, & water stress reported through the 2024 AQUASTAT cycle. Renewable water refers to freshwater that is naturally replenished through the hydrologic cycle, which includes evaporation, condensation, & precipitation.

The latest figures show that some regions – particularly Northern Africa & Western Asia – continue to operate under extremely limited freshwater endowments. Countries such as Kuwait & Qatar rank among the lowest renewable water resources per person worldwide.

Freshwater withdrawals have also increased in several regions in recent years, adding pressure to already stressed river basins & aquifers. Agriculture remains the largest water-using sector globally, accounting for 72 percent of withdrawals in many regions.

A closer look at regional trends & changes in water use

The Snapshot uses clear, accessible examples to illustrate how water availability & demand are shifting across regions.

In Northern Africa, freshwater availability per person remains among the lowest globally, while withdrawals have increased by 16 percent over the past 10 years. In Western Asia – which in the Snapshot includes most Middle Eastern countries – rapid demographic growth & agricultural demand are contributing to increased pressure on limited supplies. By contrast, some regions with comparatively higher water availability still face rising competition among sectors, particularly where urbanization & irrigated agriculture are driving demand.

The data also highlights wide disparities in irrigation & water-use efficiency. In parts of Latin America & Asia, irrigation supports a large share of crop production, whereas in Sub-Saharan Africa irrigated cropland represents only a small fraction of total cultivated land, reflecting persistent gaps in access to water infrastructure. The Snapshot reports improvements in water-use efficiency in several regions, while levels of water stress remain high or very high in countries where withdrawals regularly exceed renewable supplies.

The report presents updated values for the two indicators monitored under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.4, tracking water-use efficiency & water stress. While efficiency has improved overall, high stress levels underscore the need for continued efforts to manage water sustainably & build resilience to growing demands.

About AQUASTAT & how the data are collected

AQUASTAT is FAO’s global information system on water & agriculture. It provides internationally comparable data on water resources, water use, irrigation & efficiency, & is a key reference for monitoring global trends & SDG indicators 6.4.1 & 6.4.2.

AQUASTAT is a key data source for the preparation of the FAO flagship report “The State of the World’s Land & Water Resources for Agriculture” (SOLAW), launched on 1 December.

The data is supplied directly by national institutions. Each year, FAO gathers information through its “Water & Agriculture” questionnaire, completed by government-designated focal points. Every five years, this process is complemented by a more detailed review. FAO then validates all submissions in close consultation with countries to ensure accuracy, consistency & comparability over time.

In this context, “renewable” refers to the amount of freshwater that is naturally replenished each year through rivers, lakes & renewable groundwater.

The 2025 edition is being released online to maximize access & support evidence-based planning, SDG monitoring & international cooperation on sustainable water management.