The Asia and the Pacific region has only 36% of the world’s water resources.

 

The Asia and the Pacific region is home to 60% of the world’s population but has only 36% of the world’s water resources, causing its per capita water availability to be the lowest in the world. Unsustainable water withdrawals are a major concern in the region, as some countries withdraw unsustainable proportions of their freshwater supply – exceeding half of the Total water availability – and seven of the world’s 15 biggest abstractors of groundwater are in Asia and the Pacific. Research suggests that groundwater use will increase 30% by 2050. In addition to the low levels of per capita water availability, high levels of water pollution are observed in the region, with more than 80% of the wastewater generated in the region’s developing countries not being treated.