GITNUXREPORT 2026

Global Water Usage Statistics

Global agriculture uses most of the world's limited freshwater resources.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Global agricultural water use accounts for approximately 70% of total freshwater withdrawals worldwide, totaling around 2,800 km³ annually.

Statistic 2

In India, irrigation consumes 90% of the country's freshwater resources, with over 600 km³ used yearly for agriculture.

Statistic 3

China's agricultural sector withdraws about 400 billion m³ of water per year, representing 62% of national total.

Statistic 4

In the United States, irrigation uses 118 km³ of water annually, 41% of total withdrawals.

Statistic 5

Sub-Saharan Africa's agriculture relies on 86% of freshwater withdrawals for irrigation and livestock.

Statistic 6

Global rice production requires 2,500 km³ of water yearly, mostly for paddy fields.

Statistic 7

Wheat cultivation globally demands 1,000 km³ of water per year.

Statistic 8

In Brazil, sugarcane irrigation uses 15 km³ annually.

Statistic 9

Egypt's agriculture withdraws 55 km³ yearly, 96% of total water use.

Statistic 10

Australia's irrigated agriculture uses 15 km³ per year, 65% of total withdrawals.

Statistic 11

Maize production worldwide requires 700 km³ of water annually.

Statistic 12

In Pakistan, 97% of water withdrawals go to agriculture, totaling 183 km³ yearly.

Statistic 13

Soybean farming in Argentina consumes 20 km³ of water per year.

Statistic 14

Global cotton irrigation uses 250 km³ annually.

Statistic 15

In California, almond orchards require 10 km³ of water yearly.

Statistic 16

Turkey's agricultural water use is 74% of total, about 40 km³ annually.

Statistic 17

Global livestock watering and feed production account for 30% of agricultural water use.

Statistic 18

Iran's farms withdraw 92 km³ yearly for irrigation.

Statistic 19

In the EU, agriculture uses 24% of water withdrawals, 100 km³ total.

Statistic 20

Thailand's rice paddies consume 80 km³ of water per year.

Statistic 21

Vietnam agriculture uses 85 km³ annually, 88% of total freshwater.

Statistic 22

Global sugarcane water footprint is 200 km³ per year.

Statistic 23

In Uzbekistan, cotton irrigation takes 50 km³ yearly.

Statistic 24

South Africa's agriculture withdraws 60 km³ per year, 62% of total.

Statistic 25

Indonesia's palm oil plantations use 40 km³ of water annually.

Statistic 26

Global dairy production requires 1,000 km³ of water yearly.

Statistic 27

Mexico's agriculture consumes 70 km³ per year, 76% of withdrawals.

Statistic 28

In Spain, olive groves and vineyards use 10 km³ annually.

Statistic 29

Bangladesh rice farming withdraws 100 km³ yearly.

Statistic 30

Global tea production water use is 150 km³ per year.

Statistic 31

Global domestic water use is 10% of total withdrawals, 440 km³ annually.

Statistic 32

Urban households worldwide use 200 liters per capita per day on average.

Statistic 33

In the US, domestic water withdrawal is 14 km³ yearly, 11% of total.

Statistic 34

Europe's municipal water supply totals 100 km³ per year.

Statistic 35

India's per capita domestic water use is 135 liters/day.

Statistic 36

Sub-Saharan Africa domestic use is 4% of withdrawals, 20 km³ total.

Statistic 37

China supplies 60 km³ for domestic purposes annually.

Statistic 38

Brazil's urban water consumption is 8 km³ per year.

Statistic 39

Global leakage in domestic supply networks wastes 126 km³ yearly.

Statistic 40

Australia's households use 2.5 km³ domestically per year.

Statistic 41

In the UK, per capita domestic use is 140 liters/day.

Statistic 42

South Africa's domestic withdrawal is 3 km³ annually.

Statistic 43

Japan's municipal water use is 15 km³ per year.

Statistic 44

Egypt supplies 5 km³ for domestic use yearly.

Statistic 45

Global showers account for 20% of household water use.

Statistic 46

In France, domestic consumption is 5 km³ annually.

Statistic 47

Pakistan's urban supply is 10 km³ per year.

Statistic 48

Canada's per capita domestic use is 250 liters/day.

Statistic 49

Italy's households withdraw 6 km³ yearly.

Statistic 50

Turkey domestic water use is 5 km³ per year.

Statistic 51

Vietnam supplies 4 km³ for domestic purposes annually.

Statistic 52

Global total freshwater withdrawal is 4,000 km³ per year.

Statistic 53

Asia accounts for 60% of global water withdrawals, 2,400 km³ annually.

Statistic 54

Middle East and North Africa use 250 km³ yearly, 6% of global total.

Statistic 55

Latin America withdraws 500 km³ per year, 12% worldwide.

Statistic 56

Africa total water withdrawal is 200 km³ annually.

Statistic 57

Europe uses 400 km³ of freshwater per year.

Statistic 58

North America withdraws 500 km³ annually, 12% global.

Statistic 59

Oceania water use is 25 km³ per year.

Statistic 60

India withdraws 761 km³ yearly, largest national user.

Statistic 61

US total withdrawal is 410 km³ per year.

Statistic 62

Russia uses 70 km³ annually.

Statistic 63

Indonesia withdraws 300 km³ per year.

Statistic 64

Mexico uses 80 km³ yearly.

Statistic 65

Iran withdraws 93 km³ annually.

Statistic 66

Thailand total water use is 100 km³ per year.

Statistic 67

South Africa withdraws 15 km³ yearly.

Statistic 68

Saudi Arabia uses 25 km³ per year, mostly desalinated.

Statistic 69

Ukraine withdraws 20 km³ annually.

Statistic 70

Peru total water withdrawal is 25 km³ per year.

Statistic 71

Global manufacturing sector withdraws 19% of freshwater, about 800 km³ annually.

Statistic 72

Thermoelectric power plants worldwide use 500 km³ of water per year for cooling.

Statistic 73

China's industrial water withdrawal is 200 km³ yearly, 16% of total.

Statistic 74

In the US, industry consumes 18 km³ for manufacturing, 5% of total.

Statistic 75

Steel production globally requires 200 km³ of water annually.

Statistic 76

Textile industry worldwide uses 100 km³ per year for dyeing and finishing.

Statistic 77

Oil refining consumes 50 km³ of water globally each year.

Statistic 78

India's industrial sector withdraws 50 km³ annually, 8% of total.

Statistic 79

Chemical manufacturing uses 150 km³ worldwide per year.

Statistic 80

Paper and pulp industry withdraws 80 km³ annually globally.

Statistic 81

In Europe, industrial water use is 44% of total withdrawals, 200 km³ yearly.

Statistic 82

Semiconductor fabrication requires 10 km³ of ultra-pure water per year globally.

Statistic 83

Food and beverage processing uses 100 km³ annually worldwide.

Statistic 84

Mining industry consumes 70 km³ for extraction processes yearly.

Statistic 85

Japan's industry withdraws 20 km³ per year, 20% of total.

Statistic 86

Global beverage industry (soft drinks, beer) uses 50 km³ annually.

Statistic 87

Pharmaceuticals manufacturing withdraws 20 km³ per year worldwide.

Statistic 88

In South Korea, industrial water use is 25 km³ yearly, 30% total.

Statistic 89

Aluminum smelting requires 40 km³ of water globally each year.

Statistic 90

Leather tanning industry uses 30 km³ annually worldwide.

Statistic 91

Cement production consumes 100 km³ per year globally.

Statistic 92

In Germany, industry uses 10 km³ for manufacturing, 60% of withdrawals.

Statistic 93

Sugar refining withdraws 15 km³ yearly worldwide.

Statistic 94

Biofuel production uses 20 km³ of water per year globally.

Statistic 95

Electronics cooling in data centers consumes 10 km³ annually.

Statistic 96

Glass manufacturing requires 25 km³ per year worldwide.

Statistic 97

Global water use projected to increase 20-30% by 2050.

Statistic 98

2.4 billion people live in water-stressed countries.

Statistic 99

By 2030, global water demand may exceed supply by 40%.

Statistic 100

80% of wastewater discharged untreated globally.

Statistic 101

Water productivity in agriculture is $0.3 per m³ globally.

Statistic 102

25 countries, home to 1/3 world population, face extremely high water stress.

Statistic 103

Global renewable water resources per capita declined 20% since 2000.

Statistic 104

Efficiency improvements could save 40% of water in agriculture by 2050.

Statistic 105

1.8 billion people use contaminated water sources.

Statistic 106

Climate change may reduce global water availability 10-20% by 2050.

Statistic 107

Desalination capacity worldwide is 100 km³ per year.

Statistic 108

Wastewater reuse potential is 50 km³ annually globally.

Statistic 109

Groundwater depletion rate is 200 km³ per year worldwide.

Statistic 110

Virtual water trade saves 1,000 km³ of water yearly.

Statistic 111

Rainwater harvesting could supply 10% of domestic needs globally.

Statistic 112

Drip irrigation adoption could save 300 km³ in agriculture.

Statistic 113

Water pricing reforms could reduce use by 10-20%.

Statistic 114

Transboundary aquifers shared by 2 billion people under stress.

Statistic 115

Global investment needed for water: $6.7 trillion by 2030.

Statistic 116

Blue water footprint of humanity exceeds sustainable limits by 4 times.

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While we are surrounded by an ocean of data about our planet's most precious resource, a single, staggering truth emerges: agriculture alone drinks up a staggering 70% of the world's freshwater, a thirst that powers everything from the rice paddies of India to the almond orchards of California and underscores the immense global challenge of balancing food security with water sustainability.

Key Takeaways

Global agricultural water use accounts for approximately 70% of total freshwater withdrawals worldwide, totaling around 2,800 km³ annually.
In India, irrigation consumes 90% of the country's freshwater resources, with over 600 km³ used yearly for agriculture.
China's agricultural sector withdraws about 400 billion m³ of water per year, representing 62% of national total.
Global manufacturing sector withdraws 19% of freshwater, about 800 km³ annually.
Thermoelectric power plants worldwide use 500 km³ of water per year for cooling.
China's industrial water withdrawal is 200 km³ yearly, 16% of total.
Global domestic water use is 10% of total withdrawals, 440 km³ annually.
Urban households worldwide use 200 liters per capita per day on average.
In the US, domestic water withdrawal is 14 km³ yearly, 11% of total.
Global total freshwater withdrawal is 4,000 km³ per year.
Asia accounts for 60% of global water withdrawals, 2,400 km³ annually.
Middle East and North Africa use 250 km³ yearly, 6% of global total.
Global water use projected to increase 20-30% by 2050.
2.4 billion people live in water-stressed countries.
By 2030, global water demand may exceed supply by 40%.

Global agriculture uses most of the world's limited freshwater resources.

Agricultural Water Use

Global agricultural water use accounts for approximately 70% of total freshwater withdrawals worldwide, totaling around 2,800 km³ annually.
In India, irrigation consumes 90% of the country's freshwater resources, with over 600 km³ used yearly for agriculture.
China's agricultural sector withdraws about 400 billion m³ of water per year, representing 62% of national total.
In the United States, irrigation uses 118 km³ of water annually, 41% of total withdrawals.
Sub-Saharan Africa's agriculture relies on 86% of freshwater withdrawals for irrigation and livestock.
Global rice production requires 2,500 km³ of water yearly, mostly for paddy fields.
Wheat cultivation globally demands 1,000 km³ of water per year.
In Brazil, sugarcane irrigation uses 15 km³ annually.
Egypt's agriculture withdraws 55 km³ yearly, 96% of total water use.
Australia's irrigated agriculture uses 15 km³ per year, 65% of total withdrawals.
Maize production worldwide requires 700 km³ of water annually.
In Pakistan, 97% of water withdrawals go to agriculture, totaling 183 km³ yearly.
Soybean farming in Argentina consumes 20 km³ of water per year.
Global cotton irrigation uses 250 km³ annually.
In California, almond orchards require 10 km³ of water yearly.
Turkey's agricultural water use is 74% of total, about 40 km³ annually.
Global livestock watering and feed production account for 30% of agricultural water use.
Iran's farms withdraw 92 km³ yearly for irrigation.
In the EU, agriculture uses 24% of water withdrawals, 100 km³ total.
Thailand's rice paddies consume 80 km³ of water per year.
Vietnam agriculture uses 85 km³ annually, 88% of total freshwater.
Global sugarcane water footprint is 200 km³ per year.
In Uzbekistan, cotton irrigation takes 50 km³ yearly.
South Africa's agriculture withdraws 60 km³ per year, 62% of total.
Indonesia's palm oil plantations use 40 km³ of water annually.
Global dairy production requires 1,000 km³ of water yearly.
Mexico's agriculture consumes 70 km³ per year, 76% of withdrawals.
In Spain, olive groves and vineyards use 10 km³ annually.
Bangladesh rice farming withdraws 100 km³ yearly.
Global tea production water use is 150 km³ per year.

Agricultural Water Use Interpretation

It appears that humanity's greatest shared enterprise is not science or art, but the remarkably thirsty business of farming, which drinks up the majority of the world's freshwater to fill our plates and ward off our hunger.

Domestic Water Use

Global domestic water use is 10% of total withdrawals, 440 km³ annually.
Urban households worldwide use 200 liters per capita per day on average.
In the US, domestic water withdrawal is 14 km³ yearly, 11% of total.
Europe's municipal water supply totals 100 km³ per year.
India's per capita domestic water use is 135 liters/day.
Sub-Saharan Africa domestic use is 4% of withdrawals, 20 km³ total.
China supplies 60 km³ for domestic purposes annually.
Brazil's urban water consumption is 8 km³ per year.
Global leakage in domestic supply networks wastes 126 km³ yearly.
Australia's households use 2.5 km³ domestically per year.
In the UK, per capita domestic use is 140 liters/day.
South Africa's domestic withdrawal is 3 km³ annually.
Japan's municipal water use is 15 km³ per year.
Egypt supplies 5 km³ for domestic use yearly.
Global showers account for 20% of household water use.
In France, domestic consumption is 5 km³ annually.
Pakistan's urban supply is 10 km³ per year.
Canada's per capita domestic use is 250 liters/day.
Italy's households withdraw 6 km³ yearly.
Turkey domestic water use is 5 km³ per year.
Vietnam supplies 4 km³ for domestic purposes annually.

Domestic Water Use Interpretation

We may share one global thirst, but our taps tell wildly different stories, revealing a world where the luxury of a long shower in Canada is starkly contrasted by the careful calculation of every liter in Sub-Saharan Africa, all while enough water to supply a nation vanishes yearly through leaky pipes.

Global and Regional Distribution

Global total freshwater withdrawal is 4,000 km³ per year.
Asia accounts for 60% of global water withdrawals, 2,400 km³ annually.
Middle East and North Africa use 250 km³ yearly, 6% of global total.
Latin America withdraws 500 km³ per year, 12% worldwide.
Africa total water withdrawal is 200 km³ annually.
Europe uses 400 km³ of freshwater per year.
North America withdraws 500 km³ annually, 12% global.
Oceania water use is 25 km³ per year.
India withdraws 761 km³ yearly, largest national user.
US total withdrawal is 410 km³ per year.
Russia uses 70 km³ annually.
Indonesia withdraws 300 km³ per year.
Mexico uses 80 km³ yearly.
Iran withdraws 93 km³ annually.
Thailand total water use is 100 km³ per year.
South Africa withdraws 15 km³ yearly.
Saudi Arabia uses 25 km³ per year, mostly desalinated.
Ukraine withdraws 20 km³ annually.
Peru total water withdrawal is 25 km³ per year.

Global and Regional Distribution Interpretation

The grand aquatic ledger reveals a stark imbalance, with Asia thirstily sipping over half the world's freshwater while many others make do with a mere trickle, proving that when it comes to water, we are not all in the same boat.

Industrial Water Use

Global manufacturing sector withdraws 19% of freshwater, about 800 km³ annually.
Thermoelectric power plants worldwide use 500 km³ of water per year for cooling.
China's industrial water withdrawal is 200 km³ yearly, 16% of total.
In the US, industry consumes 18 km³ for manufacturing, 5% of total.
Steel production globally requires 200 km³ of water annually.
Textile industry worldwide uses 100 km³ per year for dyeing and finishing.
Oil refining consumes 50 km³ of water globally each year.
India's industrial sector withdraws 50 km³ annually, 8% of total.
Chemical manufacturing uses 150 km³ worldwide per year.
Paper and pulp industry withdraws 80 km³ annually globally.
In Europe, industrial water use is 44% of total withdrawals, 200 km³ yearly.
Semiconductor fabrication requires 10 km³ of ultra-pure water per year globally.
Food and beverage processing uses 100 km³ annually worldwide.
Mining industry consumes 70 km³ for extraction processes yearly.
Japan's industry withdraws 20 km³ per year, 20% of total.
Global beverage industry (soft drinks, beer) uses 50 km³ annually.
Pharmaceuticals manufacturing withdraws 20 km³ per year worldwide.
In South Korea, industrial water use is 25 km³ yearly, 30% total.
Aluminum smelting requires 40 km³ of water globally each year.
Leather tanning industry uses 30 km³ annually worldwide.
Cement production consumes 100 km³ per year globally.
In Germany, industry uses 10 km³ for manufacturing, 60% of withdrawals.
Sugar refining withdraws 15 km³ yearly worldwide.
Biofuel production uses 20 km³ of water per year globally.
Electronics cooling in data centers consumes 10 km³ annually.
Glass manufacturing requires 25 km³ per year worldwide.

Industrial Water Use Interpretation

If you want to take the world's pulse, just follow the water—it flows not just to our taps, but straight into the veins of an industrial machine that is astonishingly, and alarmingly, thirsty.

Water Scarcity and Sustainability

Global water use projected to increase 20-30% by 2050.
2.4 billion people live in water-stressed countries.
By 2030, global water demand may exceed supply by 40%.
80% of wastewater discharged untreated globally.
Water productivity in agriculture is $0.3 per m³ globally.
25 countries, home to 1/3 world population, face extremely high water stress.
Global renewable water resources per capita declined 20% since 2000.
Efficiency improvements could save 40% of water in agriculture by 2050.
1.8 billion people use contaminated water sources.
Climate change may reduce global water availability 10-20% by 2050.
Desalination capacity worldwide is 100 km³ per year.
Wastewater reuse potential is 50 km³ annually globally.
Groundwater depletion rate is 200 km³ per year worldwide.
Virtual water trade saves 1,000 km³ of water yearly.
Rainwater harvesting could supply 10% of domestic needs globally.
Drip irrigation adoption could save 300 km³ in agriculture.
Water pricing reforms could reduce use by 10-20%.
Transboundary aquifers shared by 2 billion people under stress.
Global investment needed for water: $6.7 trillion by 2030.
Blue water footprint of humanity exceeds sustainable limits by 4 times.

Water Scarcity and Sustainability Interpretation

We are like guests at a banquet who, while already running up an insurmountable tab, are simultaneously flooding the kitchen, neglecting the bill, and squabbling over the last drops in the carafe.

Sources & References

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