Rome [Italy], December 13 (ANI/WAM): Renewable water availability per individual has continued to say no by an extra 7% over the previous decade, whereas strain on already scarce freshwater sources is rising in a number of areas, in response to the 2025 AQUASTAT Water Data Snapshot launched by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
The replace offers a worldwide overview of how water availability and use are evolving, presenting new information on irrigation, effectivity, and water stress reported via the 2024 AQUASTAT cycle. Renewable water refers to freshwater that’s naturally replenished via the hydrologic cycle, which incorporates evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
The newest figures present that some areas – notably Northern Africa and Western Asia – proceed to function underneath extraordinarily restricted freshwater endowments.
Freshwater withdrawals have additionally elevated in a number of areas lately, including strain to already confused river basins and aquifers. Agriculture stays the most important water-using sector globally, accounting for 72% of withdrawals in lots of areas.
The Snapshot makes use of clear, accessible examples as an example how water availability and demand are shifting throughout areas.
In Northern Africa, freshwater availability per individual stays among the many lowest globally, whereas withdrawals have elevated by 16% over the previous 10 years. In Western Asia – which within the Snapshot consists of most Middle Eastern nations – speedy demographic development and agricultural demand are contributing to elevated strain on restricted provides. By distinction, some areas with comparatively increased water availability nonetheless face rising competitors amongst sectors, notably the place urbanization and irrigated agriculture are driving demand.
The information additionally highlights large disparities in irrigation and water-use effectivity. In elements of Latin America and Asia, irrigation helps a big share of crop manufacturing, whereas in Sub-Saharan Africa irrigated cropland represents solely a small fraction of complete cultivated land, reflecting persistent gaps in entry to water infrastructure. The Snapshot experiences enhancements in water-use effectivity in a number of areas, whereas ranges of water stress stay excessive or very excessive in nations the place withdrawals recurrently exceed renewable provides.
The report presents up to date values for the 2 indicators monitored underneath Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.4, monitoring water-use effectivity and water stress. While effectivity has improved total, excessive stress ranges underscore the necessity for continued efforts to handle water sustainably and construct resilience to rising calls for. (ANI/WAM)
