Water Scarcity

Sometimes it’s hard to believe that water scarcity is a problem on this planet since 70% of it is covered with oceans, rivers, lakes and the like. But only 3% of that water is fresh—and only a third of that is accessible (not frozen or otherwise obtainable).1

Water Scarcity Definition

Nearly half of the people in the world already live in water-scarce areas where they struggle to access water at least one month a year. About 75% of them live in Asia.2 By 2050, experts predict that this number could increase to somewhere between 4.8 to 5.7 billion people. Researchers estimate that two-thirds of the global population may struggle with water shortages by 2025.3

In the last 100 years, water use has increased by nearly six times compared to the early 1900s.4 As a result, more and more regions are reaching limits regarding sustainable and accessible water.5 In just four years, from 2004 to 2008, aquifer depletion nearly tripled when compared to the historical average.6

“The world is in a water crisis, and children’s lives and futures are at risk … water is life: without it, they cannot survive,”7 states UNICEF.

Water scarcity affects children’s physical and mental development, exacerbates malnutrition and stunting and disrupts learning. More than 700 children younger than five die every day from diarrhea caused by drinking contaminated water and poor sanitation and hygiene, which depend on clean water.8 In addition, diarrhea prevents people from absorbing essential nutrients. Lack of clean, easily-accessible water also reduces parents’ ability to work and provide for their families due to illness, time spent collecting water and, sometimes, death from waterborne diseases.


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