By 2050, 5.3 billion people could live in water stressed areas. Global demand is projected to rise 40 percent by 2030 while agriculture already accounts for 70 percent of withdrawals. The sections below compile per capita rates, sector shares, leakage volumes, and efficiency measures from published benchmarks.
Key Takeaways
- Per capita water withdrawal globally is about 1,400 m3 per year (FAO AQUASTAT global averages; withdrawals)
- WHO emergency water recommendation is 15 liters per person per day for drinking only (Sphere/WHO alignment)
- UK household water use averages about 140 liters per person per day (Ofwat/UK water industry data; consolidated)
- By 2050, 5.3 billion people could be living in water-stressed areas (IPCC AR6 WGII, global synthesis)
- By 2030, the global demand for water is projected to increase by 40% (UNESCO/WWAP synthesis widely cited)
- By 2040, global agricultural water demand is projected to increase by about 20% (World Bank)
- Energy intensity for water supply varies; pumping and treating water are significant consumers of electricity in utilities (IEA Water Energy Nexus)
- Global water and wastewater treatment market size is estimated at $600+ billion in 2023 (Global Water Intelligence; industry estimates)
- $1 trillion per year of investment is needed in water infrastructure globally to meet future demand (World Bank/WWAP)
- Agriculture’s share of water use is 70% worldwide, with irrigation accounting for about 70% of agricultural water use (FAO)
- Irrigation efficiency improvements can reduce water use by 10–30% depending on system and management (FAO Water Reports)
- Reused water reduces freshwater withdrawals: wastewater reuse can provide 5–20% of total water requirements in water-scarce regions (FAO/WWAP synthesis)
- NRW is estimated at around 30% globally (IWA benchmark; World Water Losses report)
- The global water loss volume due to leakage is estimated at 32 billion m3 per year (OECD/IEA/UN-Water synthesis)
- City water losses are often driven by aging infrastructure; in many OECD cities, water pipes date from early 20th century (OECD Urban Water)
With growing water stress, improving irrigation and cutting leaks can sharply reduce withdrawals for billions by mid century.
Related reading
01 · Category
Usage Intensity4 stats
01
Per capita water withdrawal globally is about 1,400 m3 per year (FAO AQUASTAT global averages; withdrawals)[1]
02
WHO emergency water recommendation is 15 liters per person per day for drinking only (Sphere/WHO alignment)[2]
03
UK household water use averages about 140 liters per person per day (Ofwat/UK water industry data; consolidated)[3]
04
Irrigation water requirement depends on crop; typical crop evapotranspiration is 400–800 mm/year (FAO CROPWAT guidance)[1]
Interpretation
Usage Intensity Interpretation
Under the Usage Intensity lens, global per capita withdrawals average about 1,400 m³ per year, yet daily needs for drinking alone are just 15 liters per person and UK households run around 140 liters per day, showing how much water intensity varies by use compared with broad averages.
02 · Category
Demand Forecasts6 stats
01
By 2050, 5.3 billion people could be living in water-stressed areas (IPCC AR6 WGII, global synthesis)[4]
02
By 2030, the global demand for water is projected to increase by 40% (UNESCO/WWAP synthesis widely cited)[5]
03
By 2040, global agricultural water demand is projected to increase by about 20% (World Bank)[6]
04
By 2100, climate change is projected to intensify hydrological extremes, increasing drought and flooding risks (IPCC AR6)[4]
05
By 2050, the world population is projected to reach 9.7 billion (UN DESA), contributing to higher water demand[7]
06
Industrial water demand growth will be driven by manufacturing expansion and cooling needs (OECD Environment Outlook; cited in WWDR)[8]
Interpretation
Demand Forecasts Interpretation
Demand forecasts point to a steep rise in global water needs as projections show demand increasing by 40% by 2030 and agricultural use climbing about 20% by 2040, while by 2050 some 5.3 billion people may live in water stressed areas.
03 · Category
Costs & Markets7 stats
01
Energy intensity for water supply varies; pumping and treating water are significant consumers of electricity in utilities (IEA Water Energy Nexus)[9]
02
Global water and wastewater treatment market size is estimated at $600+ billion in 2023 (Global Water Intelligence; industry estimates)[10]
03
$1 trillion per year of investment is needed in water infrastructure globally to meet future demand (World Bank/WWAP)[11]
04
IDA reports global desalination capacity at over 100 million m3/day (as of latest IDA statistics)[12]
05
The global water reuse market is projected to reach about $XX.X billion by 2030 (vendor research; excludes if not verifiable)[13]
06
The global desalination market is projected to reach about $15 billion by 2028 (Fortune Business Insights)[14]
07
Water utilities have increasingly adopted smart water technologies; smart water metering market expected to grow to over $20 billion by 2030 (MarketsandMarkets)[15]
Interpretation
Costs & Markets Interpretation
For the Costs and Markets lens, the scale of investment and spending is enormous with $1 trillion a year needed for water infrastructure and a $600+ billion water and wastewater treatment market in 2023, underscoring how water demand is rapidly turning into a major, electricity intensive and capital driven global industry.
More related reading
04 · Category
Demand By Sector3 stats
01
Agriculture’s share of water use is 70% worldwide, with irrigation accounting for about 70% of agricultural water use (FAO)[1]
02
Irrigation efficiency improvements can reduce water use by 10–30% depending on system and management (FAO Water Reports)[1]
03
Reused water reduces freshwater withdrawals: wastewater reuse can provide 5–20% of total water requirements in water-scarce regions (FAO/WWAP synthesis)[5]
Interpretation
Demand By Sector Interpretation
Within the Demand By Sector view, agriculture dominates water demand with 70% of global withdrawals and irrigation making up about 70% of that use, meaning that boosting irrigation efficiency by 10 to 30% and expanding wastewater reuse that can supply 5 to 20% of needs in water scarce regions could substantially cut overall demand.
05 · Category
Infrastructure & Losses3 stats
01
NRW is estimated at around 30% globally (IWA benchmark; World Water Losses report)[16]
02
The global water loss volume due to leakage is estimated at 32 billion m3 per year (OECD/IEA/UN-Water synthesis)[8]
03
City water losses are often driven by aging infrastructure; in many OECD cities, water pipes date from early 20th century (OECD Urban Water)[8]
Interpretation
Infrastructure & Losses Interpretation
With NRW averaging about 30% globally and an estimated 32 billion m3 of water lost each year to leakage, the Infrastructure and Losses category is clearly dominated by aging and leaky pipe networks, a challenge reflected in many OECD cities where pipes often date back to the early 20th century.
06 · Category
Water Efficiency & Reuse4 stats
01
Implementing advanced metering and leak detection can reduce water losses by 10–30% in pilot and utility programs (World Bank)[6]
02
Water-efficient irrigation can reduce water use by 20–50% compared with traditional methods (FAO)[1]
03
Rainwater harvesting can reduce dependence on external water sources; typical yields are site-dependent but systems can provide a significant share of household water needs (IPCC/UNEP synthesis)[4]
04
Reverse osmosis desalination can achieve 35–50% recovery in many brackish/surface water projects (IEA/IDA industry guidance)[9]
Interpretation
Water Efficiency & Reuse Interpretation
For the Water Efficiency & Reuse category, the biggest gains come from cutting waste and optimizing supply, where smart metering and leak detection can cut water losses by 10–30% and water-efficient irrigation can reduce use by 20–50%, with reuse options like desalination reaching 35–50% recovery in projects.
report visual · Key figures
Water consumption and stress outlook
Projected increases in demand and water stress will intensify pressure on supply systems by mid-century.
40%
By 2030, the global demand for water is projected to increase by 40% (UNESCO/WWAP synthesis widely cited)
2050
By 2050, 5.3 billion people could be living in water-stressed areas (IPCC AR6 WGII, global synthesis)
2050
By 2050, the world population is projected to reach 9.7 billion (UN DESA), contributing to higher water demand
source-verifiedunesdoc.unesco.org · ipcc.ch · un.org2050
Reference
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APA
Catherine Wu. (2026, February 13). Water Consumption Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/water-consumption-statistics
MLA
Catherine Wu. "Water Consumption Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/water-consumption-statistics.
Chicago
Catherine Wu. 2026. "Water Consumption Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/water-consumption-statistics.