1 / 9Water stress is emerging as one of the most pressing global challenges of the 21st century. With rising demand, changing climate patterns, and unsustainable consumption, many regions are witnessing an alarming strain on their freshwater resources. The United Nations report, ‘Progress on the Level of Water Stress’ released in 2024, and jointly prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UN-Water, underscores this growing crisis. (Photo: Reuters)
2 / 9The report revealed that water stress globally has risen by 2.8% since 2015. The stress level reached 18.6% in 2021, with vast disparities across regions. Countries in Northern Africa, Western Asia, and Southern and Central Asia face some of the highest levels of water pressure. Here are the top seven countries facing water stress and scarcity: (Image: AP)
3 / 91. Kuwait tops the list, relying almost entirely on desalinated water due to a lack of natural freshwater sources. “About 99% of the freshwater pouring into the country comes from desalination plants,” the National Committee for Sustainable Development in Kuwait (2023) noted, observed the report. (Map from the UN Report 2024)
4 / 92. Qatar follows closely, facing acute scarcity. “The country is a desert without a single river to help sustain the population,” the report observed. Rapid population growth and urban development have driven water demand sharply upwards since 2006. (Image: AP)
5 / 93. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) also battles extreme scarcity. With no rivers or lakes, it depends on seawater desalination to meet rising urban and commercial needs. The government has introduced conservation campaigns and water recycling measures, but supply remains under pressure. (Image: Agencies)
6 / 94. Saudi Arabia has long faced a freshwater deficit. Agriculture has depleted fossil aquifers, and while desalination remains a key source, the country has begun limiting water-intensive crops and investing in recycling. (Image: AP)
7 / 9Libya, Yemen and Pakistan are also severely affected. These countries experience both high water stress and food insecurity. “Water stress constrains the development of agrifood systems,” the report stated. (UN Water Report 2024)
8 / 9India’s Position and Challenges: India, ranked 28th, is classified below the high stress category at the national level. However, the report cautions that national averages can be misleading. “India… may appear on the ‘safe side’ of water stress [but] may encompass stressed basins,” the report said. It further notes the emergence of a “water stress belt” running across latitudes 10° to 45° north, which includes parts of India. (Image: AP)
9 / 9Urgency for action: Globally, around 791 million people lived in countries with high or critical water stress in 2021, up from 721 million in 2015. Agriculture accounts for 72% of all freshwater withdrawals, underscoring the vulnerability of food systems in water-scarce regions. The FAO warns that unless current agrifood systems are transformed, “persistent food insecurity and unsustainable economic growth” will follow. The report urges governments to prioritise integrated water management, invest in infrastructure, and adopt gender-sensitive policies to ensure equitable water access. (UN Water Report of 2024)
