According to a new analysis of the AQUASTAT database published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the volume of renewable freshwater resources per capita worldwide continues to decline sharply. Over the past ten years, this indicator has decreased by another 7%.
The analysis emphasizes that this refers to water sources that are renewed annually through the natural hydrological cycle. According to updated FAO figures, renewable water resources in Central Asia have decreased by 12 percent per capita since 2015. This indicator is considered one of the most alarming trends in the world.
Officials use the indicator "water stress" to assess water scarcity. It shows the percentage of water intake relative to available resources. This high level in Central Asia is due to the current composition of water use: 82% of the region's available water is used for agricultural needs.
At the same time, FAO notes that certain positive changes have occurred in the management of water resources in this region. For example, in 2015-2022, the volume of fresh water intake decreased by 9% - from 123 million cubic meters to 112 million cubic meters. It was reported that the "water stress" indicator decreased from 76.8% to 70.2%, that is, a softening of about 8.6% was observed.
At the same time, pressure is increasing at the global level. Although the global average "water stress" level in 2022 was 18 percent, in some regions this figure is quite high:
-North Africa - 121%
-South Asia - 76.7%
-Central Asia - 70.2%
-West Asia - 65.1%
Experts note that these high indicators indicate that the replenishment of existing water reserves throughout the year is approaching or completely lagging behind the amount of water received. This is a serious threat to the stability of aquatic ecosystems, agriculture, and the economy.
Agriculture remains one of the largest water-consuming sectors in the world. However, in Europe and North America, only 34 percent of water is used for agricultural needs, while about half of global industrial water consumption - 47 percent - is accounted for in these regions.
Although the FAO report notes an increase in the efficiency of rational water use in some regions, the high "water stress" in most arid regions indicates the need for long-term adaptation strategies and sustainable water management.
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