Rome, December 13 — Renewable freshwater available per person fell by 7% over the last decade, and pressure on scarce water resources has risen in several regions, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports in its 2025 AQUASTAT Water Data Snapshot. The update uses data reported through the 2024 AQUASTAT cycle and offers a global view of changing water availability, withdrawals, irrigation, efficiency and water stress. Renewable water is freshwater naturally replenished by the hydrological cycle (evaporation, condensation and precipitation).
FAO highlights persistent regional differences. Northern Africa and Western Asia remain among the most water‑limited areas. In Northern Africa, renewable water per person ranks among the lowest worldwide and freshwater withdrawals increased by 16% over the past decade. In Western Asia (as covered in the Snapshot, which includes most Middle Eastern countries), rapid population growth and rising agricultural demand are intensifying pressure on limited supplies. Even in regions with relatively higher water availability, urbanization and the expansion of irrigated agriculture are increasing competition among sectors.
Agriculture continues to be the dominant water user globally, accounting for about 72% of withdrawals in many regions. The Snapshot shows wide variation in irrigation and water‑use efficiency: parts of Latin America and Asia rely heavily on irrigation to support crop production, while Sub‑Saharan Africa still has only a small share of cropland under irrigation, reflecting gaps in water infrastructure.
The report documents improvements in water‑use efficiency in several regions but warns that many countries face high or very high water stress, where withdrawals frequently exceed renewable supplies. FAO updates the two indicators tracked under Sustainable Development Goal 6.4—water‑use efficiency and water stress—finding overall efficiency gains but persistent levels of stress that underline the need for sustainable water management and greater resilience.
The Snapshot’s findings point to the importance of investing in infrastructure, improving irrigation practices, managing demand across sectors, and strengthening policies that safeguard renewable freshwater resources for the future.
