Water Dependency of Jobs

A newly released technical paper from UNESCO’s World Water Assessment Programme, titled Global Employment Trends and the Water Dependency of Jobs reveals how water scarcity poses comparatively much greatest risks to employment in low-income countries, where 80% of jobs are water dependent (compared to only 50% in hi-income countries).

This disparity is crucial in the context of climate change, which affects water availability, posing a threat to employment in low and lower-middle income countries where agriculture is the mainstay of employment. As countries develop economically, shifting from agrarian to industrial and service sectors, the water dependency of jobs decreases, reducing the vulnerability of the workforce to water- related risks.

The paper underscores the urgency of addressing water scarcity and adapting to climate change in order to safeguard employment in the most vulnerable economies. These and other relevant challenges will be highlighted in the forthcoming United Nations World Water Development Report: Water for Prosperity and Peace.