Global water scarcity is one of the major resource depletion crises in the world. The water demand has more than doubled since 1960 due to a growth in population and urbanization, according to the World Resource Institute (WRI). Countries in the Middle East and North Africa are highly prone to water scarcity, with 83% of their population facing extremely high water stress, consuming over 80% of their water supply. This high consumption leaves the vulnerable groups prone to droughts and water shortages. Some of the economies in the Middle East are the epicenter of water scarcity, which is rapidly intensifying while meeting the demand for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use.
The demand is expected to grow further by 2050 with Sub-Saharan Africa expected to experience a 163% surge in water consumption, dwarfing the 43% increase in Latin America. The water crisis in the Middle East and North Africa is already quite evident and is only going to worsen in the future. The WRI projects that by 2050 over a billion more people will face severe water scarcity, causing an economic loss of $70 trillion. This threat extends to food security with 60% of irrigated agriculture already under extremely high water stress. A joint effort by government bodies is required to build water infrastructure along with innovative water management technologies.
According to the United Nations, 2.2 billion people across the world do not have access to safe drinking water, while a staggering 3.5 billion suffer due to inadequate sanitation. This signifies the urgency to address this crisis, which is further accelerated by the consequences of climate change due to extreme and frequent weather events like floods, droughts, and storms. These events disrupt the water cycle, reduce availability, and also exacerbate water pollution.
Another major risk related to water scarcity is security. Nearly 40% of the total world population lives in transboundary rivers and lake basins. However, only 20% of countries have agreements for the management of shared water resources. This water security risk is more evident in Africa, with 19 out of 22 countries facing water scarcity and sharing two-thirds of freshwater resources across borders.
The Most Water-Stressed Country in the World
1. Kuwait
Baseline Water Stress Value: 5.0
Kuwait is ranked 1st on our list of the most water-stressed countries in the world. The country has the highest water scarcity in the world. The increased water stress in the country is leading to a high dependency on imported food, which is now becoming a major political and security concern. Efficient and effective water management and treatment strategies are required to meet the growing water demand of its residents.