Water availability
of the world regions
1950
1995
2025
Scientists have developed many ways of measuring supplies and evaluating water scarcity. In the maps at right, “catastrophic” levels mean that reserves are unlikely to sustain a population in the event of a crisis like drought. Low supplies refer to levels which put in danger industrial development or ability to feed a population.
Just 50 years ago, not a country in the world faced catastrophic water supply levels. Today, about 35 per cent of the population lives under these conditions. By 2025, about two-thirds will have to cope with low if not catastrophic reserves. In contrast, “water rich” regions and countries—such as northern Europe, Canada, almost everywhere in South America, Central Africa, the Far East and Oceania—will continue to enjoy ample reserves.
The sharp declines reflect the soaring water demands of growing populations, agricultural needs and industrialization. In addition, nature has been far from even-handed. More than 40 per cent of the water in rivers, reservoirs and lakes is concentrated in just six countries: Brazil, Russia, Canada, the United States, China and India. Meanwhile just two per cent of river, reservoir and lake water is found in about 40 per cent of the world’s land mass.
As a result, in 2025 Europe and the United States will have half the per capita reserves they did in 1950, while Asia and Latin America will have just a quarter of what they previously enjoyed. But the real drama is likely to hit Africa and the Middle East, where available supplies by 2025 may be only an eighth of what they were in 1950.
