Water stress at the national level, by economic sector (%)(UN 2008a; UNESCO and UNSD 2011; FAO 2023f; UN n.d.a):

• Agriculture, forestry and fishing
• Manufacturing, mining and quarrying and other industrial activities
• Service activities
• Electric power generation, transmission and distribution
• Water collection, treatment and supply
• Sewerage, including treatment of wastewater
• Households as consumers

Applies to:

• ER_H2O_STRESS

This disaggregation tracks the respective contribution of different economic sectors to water stress at the national level. It underlines the sectors where progress has been made to reduce water extraction and those where room for improvement remains. It gives a finer view on the dynamics of each sector, the causes and effects of water stress and relevant information for implementing tailored remedial policies, incentives and actions to reduce water demand. It provides information to identify which sectors are the most ineffective at withdrawing water and responsible for major water loss as well as where water-saving can be most cost-effectively achieved. It is also useful for highlighting the sectors that are highly water-dependent for developing their activities and at risk of facing water shortage constraints due to growing water stress. It contributes to the UN Water Action Decade(UNGA 2017b) and the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework(UN-Water 2020).

Water stress is a measure of the pressures exerted by human activities on freshwater resources and of the environmental sustainability of water resource uses. It reflects the potential for competition and conflict between different water users in a context marked by climate change impact.

Globally, 10 per cent of the global population lives in countries affected by water stress, with disproportionate impacts on the most vulnerable communities lacking the means and capacity to face water scarcity(FAO and UN-Water 2021b).

In agriculture, –being the world's largest water sector – further efforts should be made to improve efficient water use technologies, sustainable practices and water tariffication. The shift toward sustainable water management in all sectors relies on technology, regulatory and governance innovations combined with local and indigenous knowledge.

Water stress at the river basin level [1])(FAO and UN-Water 2021b)

Applies to:

• R_H2O_STRESS

The monitoring of water stress at the river basin level provides better insight into the pressures exerted on water resources, locations of stress and related water scarcity risks as well as the sustainability of human and economic activities in the basin. Data at river basin level – considering the hydrological, environmental and socio-economic features of the basin and the specificities of water withdrawal facilities and utilizations (e.g. types of water production and use processes, related technologies and upstream and downstream interactions) – are a better fit for addressing multidimensional water management issues(UNESCO 2009a).

This disaggregation provides relevant sub-national data and can support informed decision-making for monitoring water quantity and improving water management measures. It is also pertinent for transboundary waters, where efforts toassess and manage water quantity and quality should be coordinated(UNEP 2024a). Effective and equitable water allocation of different water sources can be carried out through Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). This calls for the involvement and coordination of the many water stakeholders and institutions as well as inclusive water governance.

It contributes to the UN Water Action Decade(UNGA 2017b) and the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework(UN-Water 2020).

The impacts of poor water quantity management and water shortages are primarily felt locally. Water is also managed locally. Basins with intensely irrigated agriculture are particularly exposed to water stress, which affects food production and nutrition and exacerbates competition for water uses between agriculture, other human and economic activities and the environment(FAO and UN-Water 2021b).

Securing the availability of water, in both quantity and quality, for the effective enjoyment of basic human rights, sustainable livelihoods and the variety of socio-economic usages should be planned at the river basin level.

A sound strategic planning and operation of water management can lead to many benefits, including resilient climate change adaptation(UN 2022a).

As many of these basins are transboundary, this also prompts transboundary cooperation on water resources with riparian countries.