Industrialisation is putting the world’s water resources under huge pressure

7 December 2015

With consumption expected to grow by 2% a year, demand for fresh water is rapidly approaching the currently available supply. By 2040, this could lead to a gap of 50% between the available (sustainable and reliable) supply of fresh water and demand.

If no change is made to climate policy, 29 of the world’s 60 largest economies, countries that currently make up 57% of the world economy, will face a serious risk of water shortages. This emerged from research published today by the ING Economics Department.

Rising demand for fresh water as a result of industrialisation

As a result of industrialisation, industry around the world is expected to use 4% more water each year in the future. Consequently, industry’s share of global water consumption will rise from 21% to an estimated 38% in 2040. Power stations in particular are driving water consumption and for this reason are increasingly being located on the coast in order to be able to use seawater.

Water-intensive sectors are in countries with a serious risk of ‘water stress’

Agriculture is by far the most water-intensive sector globally, consuming 800 litres of water to add $1 of value. In the energy sector the figure is 300 litres and in industry 11 litres. Most production in these sectors takes place in the 29 countries at serious risk of ‘water stress’, meaning that demand for water is at least temporarily greater than supply or that insufficient good quality water is available. For example, 88% of coal mining, 80% of the textile industry and 74% of global agriculture is located in these countries. The traditional conflict between water for energy and water for food will extend to other sectors such as metals and clothing.

Share of world total of the 29 countries with a serious risk of water shortages, by sector

Source: calculations by ING Economics Department, based on Aquastat, Oxford Economics