Water scarcityfreshwater distributionwater stressSDG 6
The Global Water Crisis
2 min read 2 quiz questions Module 1 of 4
Water is abundant on Earth, but usable fresh water is not
Only about 2.5% of the water on Earth is fresh, and most of that is locked in ice and groundwater. What reaches rivers, lakes and accessible aquifers has to serve people, farms, industry and nature.
- Water stress measures how much of the available supply a region uses each year. Extremely high stress means almost all of it.
- WRI Aqueduct 4.0 (2023) found 25 countries, home to a quarter of the world's population, face extremely high water stress.
- The Middle East and North Africa is the most stressed region: 83% of its people are exposed to extremely high water stress.
- SDG 6 commits countries to clean water and sanitation for all, including using water efficiently.
Think about itWhere is your nearest data center, and is that region water stressed?
Check your understanding
0 / 2 answeredQ1.What does "extremely high water stress" mean?
Q2.Which region has the highest share of people exposed to extremely high water stress, according to WRI?