Global Renewable Water Availability Falls 7% in a Decade – FAO

Renewable freshwater availability per person has declined by seven percent over the past decade, underscoring growing pressure on already strained water resources worldwide, according to the 2025 AQUASTAT Water Data Snapshot released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The latest update offers a global overview of trends in water availability and use, drawing on new data collected through the 2024 AQUASTAT reporting cycle. It presents updated figures on irrigation, water-use efficiency and water stress, highlighting widening imbalances between supply and demand as population growth, agriculture and urbanization intensify competition for freshwater.

FAO defines renewable water as freshwater that is naturally replenished each year through the hydrological cycle, including rainfall, rivers, lakes and renewable groundwater. While global supplies remain finite, the per capita availability continues to shrink as demand rises and climate variability affects replenishment.

The Snapshot shows that Northern Africa and Western Asia remain among the most water-scarce regions globally. Several countries in these regions operate under extremely limited freshwater endowments, with Kuwait and Qatar ranking among those with the lowest renewable water resources per person worldwide.

At the same time, freshwater withdrawals have increased in a number of regions, placing additional strain on rivers, lakes and aquifers. Agriculture remains the dominant water user globally, accounting for about 72 percent of freshwater withdrawals in many regions, according to the FAO data.

Regional contrasts and growing pressures

The AQUASTAT Snapshot illustrates sharp regional contrasts in both water availability and use. In Northern Africa, renewable freshwater availability per person remains critically low, while total withdrawals have risen by 16 percent over the past ten years. In Western Asia, rapid population growth combined with expanding agricultural demand is further intensifying pressure on limited water supplies.

Even in regions with relatively higher water availability, competition among sectors is increasing. Urban expansion and the growth of irrigated agriculture are driving higher demand, often at the expense of environmental flows and long-term sustainability.

The data also reveal significant disparities in irrigation development and water-use efficiency. In parts of Latin America and Asia, irrigation supports a substantial share of crop production. By contrast, in Sub-Saharan Africa, irrigated land accounts for only a small proportion of cultivated areas, reflecting persistent gaps in water infrastructure and investment.

While improvements in water-use efficiency have been recorded in several regions, water stress levels remain high or very high in countries where freshwater withdrawals regularly approach or exceed available renewable supplies.

The report updates the two global indicators monitored under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.4, which tracks progress on improving water-use efficiency and reducing water stress. Although gains in efficiency suggest progress in managing water more productively, FAO warns that sustained high stress levels highlight the urgent need for stronger governance, investment and cooperation to ensure long-term water security.