Rome [Italy], December 13 (ANI/WAM): Renewable water availability per person fell by 7% over the past decade, while pressure on scarce freshwater resources has increased in several regions, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said in its 2025 AQUASTAT Water Data Snapshot.
The update, using data reported through the 2024 AQUASTAT cycle, presents a global overview of changing water availability and use, with new figures on irrigation, efficiency and water stress. Renewable water refers to freshwater naturally replenished by the hydrologic cycle (evaporation, condensation and precipitation).
Regions such as Northern Africa and Western Asia remain among the most water‑limited. Freshwater withdrawals have risen in several areas, adding stress to river basins and aquifers. Agriculture is the largest water user worldwide, accounting for about 72% of withdrawals in many regions.
The Snapshot highlights regional differences and trends. In Northern Africa, renewable water per person is among the lowest globally, and withdrawals rose 16% over the past decade. In Western Asia (covering most Middle Eastern countries in the Snapshot), rapid population growth and agricultural demand are intensifying pressure on limited supplies. Even regions with relatively higher water availability face growing competition among sectors as urbanization and irrigated agriculture expand.
Irrigation and water‑use efficiency vary widely. In parts of Latin America and Asia, irrigation supports a large share of crop production, while in Sub‑Saharan Africa irrigated cropland remains a small fraction of cultivated land, reflecting gaps in water infrastructure. The Snapshot notes improvements in water‑use efficiency in several regions, but many countries continue to experience high or very high water stress where withdrawals regularly exceed renewable supplies.
The report updates the two indicators tracked under Sustainable Development Goal 6.4—water‑use efficiency and water stress—showing overall efficiency gains but persistent high stress levels that underscore the need for sustainable management and resilience building. (ANI/WAM)
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