Global water under pressure: what AQUASTAT 2025 reveals about agriculture, efficiency and stress
The AQUASTAT Water Data Snapshot 2025, recently released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), confirms a trend that has become increasingly difficult to ignore: there is less renewable freshwater available per person almost everywhere in the world.
Using the latest AQUASTAT data up to 2022, global renewable freshwater resources amounted to 5,326 cubic metres per capita, representing a 7 per cent decline since 2015. All world regions recorded a decrease over the period, confirming that the trend extends well beyond traditionally water-scarce areas.
FAO’s latest AQUASTAT snapshot shows declining water availability per person, even as efficiency improves
Northern Africa recorded the lowest level of renewable water resources per capita, at just 565 m³ per inhabitant, followed by Southern Asia (1,226 m³) and Western Asia (1,252 m³). Since 2015, sub-Saharan Africa experienced the steepest decline, with per-capita availability falling by 17 per cent, reflecting rapid population growth relative to renewable supply.
Renewable water resources represent the long-term average flow of rivers and aquifer recharge generated by precipitation. As per-capita availability declines, the room to absorb climate variability, demand growth and environmental needs becomes increasingly limited.
Agriculture still dominates freshwater withdrawals
While water availability per person is shrinking, agriculture remains by far the largest user of freshwater worldwide. According to AQUASTAT, agriculture accounted for 71 per cent of total freshwater withdrawals globally in 2022, compared to 15 per cent for industry and 13 per cent for municipal and service uses.
In several regions, the dominance of agriculture is even more pronounced. Southern Asia, South-eastern Asia, Northern Africa, Central Asia and Western Asia all relied on agriculture for more than 80 per cent of their total freshwater withdrawals. At the national level, dozens of countries allocated over three-quarters of their freshwater withdrawals to agriculture, with some exceeding 95 per cent.
As per-capita availability declines, the room to absorb climate variability, demand growth and environmental needs becomes increasingly limited.
At the global scale, total freshwater withdrawals changed little between 2015 and 2022, increasing by just 0.1 per cent. This apparent stability, however, masks significant regional variation. Northern Africa recorded a 16 per cent increase in withdrawals, while Western Asia and sub-Saharan Africa saw increases of 13 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively. In contrast, Central Asia reduced withdrawals by 9 per cent over the same period.
However, per-capita freshwater withdrawals declined globally by 7 per cent, indicating a combination of efficiency gains and structural changes in water use. Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the lowest per-capita withdrawals in 2022, while Central Asia remained the highest despite notable reductions since 2015.
Irrigation expansion and uneven efficiency gains
Irrigation remains central to agricultural water use — and AQUASTAT data show it continues to expand. In 2022, 23 per cent of global cultivated land was equipped for irrigation, up from 21.5 per cent in 2015.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains largely rainfed, with only 3.8 per cent of cultivated land equipped for irrigation infrastructure
Regional differences are substantial. Southern Asia leads with 46 per cent of cultivated land equipped for irrigation, followed by Latin America and the Caribbean (32 per cent) and Central Asia (25 per cent). Sub-Saharan Africa, by contrast, remains largely rainfed, with only 3.8 per cent of cultivated land equipped for irrigation infrastructure.
The type of irrigation technology in use also varies widely. Surface irrigation continues to dominate globally, accounting for 77 per cent of the area under full control irrigation. Sprinkler irrigation represents 13 per cent, while localized irrigation accounts for just 5 per cent. Europe and Northern America stand out for their higher adoption of sprinkler systems, while localized irrigation is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, albeit on a limited area.
Source: FAO, AQUASTAT Water Data Snapshot 2025.
At the same time, AQUASTAT highlights encouraging progress in water use efficiency (WUE), the amount of economic value generated per unit of water withdrawn, expressed in USD per cubic metre (USD/m³). Globally, WUE increased from 17.47 USD per cubic metre in 2015 to 21.50 USD per cubic metre in 2022, a 23 per cent improvement. Agriculture remains the least efficient sector, with a global average of 0.69 USD per cubic metre, but it also recorded the largest efficiency gains, improving by 38 per cent over the period.
Efficiency gains were strongest in Eastern, Central and Southern Asia, while Western Asia experienced a decline in agricultural water use efficiency. These trends show that efficiency improvements are possible, but unevenly distributed across regions.
Looking ahead: efficiency gains meet rising water stress
A key measure of water sustainability is the relationship between how much freshwater is withdrawn each year and how much is naturally renewed. SDG Indicator 6.4.2 measures this balance by comparing total freshwater withdrawals with renewable water resources. In 2022, the indicator showed global water stress at 18 per cent, a moderate global average that masks much higher and unsustainable pressure in several regions.
Northern Africa recorded critical water stress, with withdrawals exceeding renewable freshwater resources. Southern Asia, Central Asia and Western Asia experienced high levels of water stress, placing significant pressure on economies, food systems and ecosystems. In total, 18 countries faced critical water stress, and more than 733 million people live in countries experiencing high or critical stress levels.
Agriculture remains the main driver, accounting for 72 per cent of total withdrawals globally. In Northern Africa, agriculture contributed nearly 100 per cent of water stress. While some regions — including Central and Eastern Asia — reduced agricultural pressure on water resources since 2015, others, notably Northern Africa and Oceania, saw stress levels increase.
Non-conventional water sources such as treated wastewater and desalinated water still represent a small share of total water use globally, but their role is more visible in specific regions. Europe and Northern America lead in wastewater reuse, while desalination is most significant in Western Asia.
AQUASTAT 2025 ultimately reveals a complex picture: water use efficiency is improving, but water stress is intensifying where dependence on irrigation is highest and renewable resources are most constrained. As per-capita water availability continues to decline, the importance of integrated planning — supported by consistent, transparent data — becomes ever more central to sustainable water management.