Facts About World Water Problems

Water is one of the most important resources on Earth. It is the most vital substance for human life. Without water, we would be nothing but dust. Water scarcity is the largest global risk in terms of its potential consequences. Here are some key facts, compiled from scientific or United Nations reports, about world water problems that people may need to know.

Around 4 billion people—two-thirds of the world’s population—experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year.
Around 2.1 billion people live without safe water at home.
Around 0.67 billion people don’t have access to safe, drinkable water throughout the year—that’s one in nine people.
Globally, 80% of the people who have to use unsafe and unprotected water sources live in rural areas.
Accessing safe water services is highly problematic for the 68.5 million people who have been forced to flee their homes.
Around 0.7 billion people worldwide are expected to be displaced by intense water scarcity by 2030.
In developing nations of Africa and Asia, Women and girls are primarily responsible for collecting water. On average, they walk 6 kilometers a day carrying water, which is 25% of their day.
Globally, one-third of all schools lack access to sanitation and drinkable water, and one in four primary schools has no drinking water service.
Each day, more than 700 children under five years of age die every day from diarrhea linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation.
It has been found that 80% of all illnesses in the developing world are related.
Groundwater supplies serve about 80% of the global population, whereas at least 4% of usable groundwater is already polluted.
In total, over 70,000 different water contaminants have been identified.
Freshwater animals are disappearing five times faster than land animals.
Of the people facing temporal water scarcity, 1.0 billion live in India, 0.9 billion in China, 130 million in Bangladesh,130 million in the U.S.,120 million in Pakistan, 110 million in Nigeria, and 90 million in Mexico. Others live in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
Of the people facing severe water scarcity all year round, 180 million live in India, 73 million in Pakistan, 27 million in Egypt, 20 million in Mexico, 20 million in Saudi Arabia, and 18 million in Yemen.
60% of the world’s population lives in Asia, but only 9% of the water is globally truly permanent, and 35% is contemporary seasonal water.
While there is plenty of water in Latin America, most is contaminated and unsafe to drink.