New data from WRI’s Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas show that 25 countries — housing one-quarter of the global population — face extremely high water stress each year, regularly using up almost their entire available water supply. And at least 50% of the world’s population — around 4 billion people — live under highly water-stressed conditions for at least one month of the year.

Living with this level of water stress jeopardizes people’s lives, jobs, food and energy security. Water is central to growing crops and raising livestock, producing electricity, maintaining human health, fostering equitable societies and meeting the world’s climate goals.  

Without better water management, population growth, economic development and climate change are poised to worsen water stress.  

Here, we dive deep into what’s causing growing water stress — and which countries and regions will be impacted the most.

What’s Causing Global Water Stress?

Across the world, demand for water is exceeding what’s available. Globally, demand has more than doubled since 1960.

Increased water demand is often the result of growing populations and industries like irrigated agriculture, livestock, energy production […]