THE Water, in addition to being an important and vital element of nature, it is an eminently strategic natural resource, being pointed out by many as the great pivot of the main geopolitical disputes of the 21st century to the detriment of the Petroleum. To better understand the issue of the importance of this element, we are going to monitor how water consumption occurs in the world, with a view to comparing this consumption with available reserves.
In general terms, the Water consumption has increased considerably across the planet over time. In 1900, the world consumed about 580 km³ of water; in 1950, this consumption rose to 1400 km³, rising to 4000 km³ in 2000. According to UN forecasts, it is likely that in 2025 the level of consumption will rise to 5200 km³. Despite this increase in water use, there has also been an increase in the number of people without easy access to drinking water, totaling 1.1 billion worldwide to suffer from this problem.
Graph with world water consumption
In addition to the excessive use in the domestic area and on the individual level, there is also the intensive consumption of water in economic activities, notably agriculture and industry, not to mention the large volume wasted. It is not by chance that most of the world's water consumption takes place in developed countries. Emerging or underdeveloped ones consume lesser amounts due to lesser access to water and lower intensity of economic practices. According to the UN, the consumption of central countries is six times greater than the consumption of peripheral countries.
The issue of lack of water is a dramatic problem for many parts of the world. In some regions of India, there is a problem of physical water scarcity, that is, when the population's consumption is greater than the rate of renewal of water reserves by the hydrological cycle.
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In some countries in Africa, there is the problem of economic water scarcity, which is when access to water is restricted not by lack of reserves, but due to the absence of the necessary infrastructure to transport and distribute the resource to the population in general.
Qatar is facing an even worse problem, since the country, due to its location and restricted territorial extension, does not have water reserves in practically all of its space. Therefore, the local government uses the process of desalination of water in the Persian Gulf.
Below, you can check the list* of countries that consume the most water in the world in values per capita (liters per person) compared to some of those who consume less or who have moderate use.
Average daily usage list per person of countries:
United States – 575 liters per person
Australia – 495 liters per person
Italy – 385 liters per person
Japan – 375 liters per person
Mexico – 365 liters per person
France – 285 liters per person
Brazil – 185 liters per person
Turkey – 175 liters per person
United Kingdom - 150 liters per person
India – 135 liters per person
China - 85 liters per person
Nigeria – 35 liters per person
Ethiopia – 15 liters per person
Recommended by the UN - 110 liters per person
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* Data source: Student Guide (Editora Abril, 2009).
By Me. Rodolfo Alves Pena
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
PENA, Rodolfo F. Alves. "Water consumption in the world"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/geografia/consumo-agua-no-mundo.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
Chemistry
Water pollution, physical aspects of water, chemical aspects of water, biological aspects of water, industrial waste, heavy metals, drinking water, organic matter, water turbidity, sewage.
