Water withdrawals per capita in Colombia amount to 2,008 cubic meters per inhabitant, according to the latest available data from 2020. This is a far higher volume than in many other countries, such as China, where per capita water withdrawals were 399 cubic meters as of 2020.
Global water withdrawals
Countries around the world withdraw huge volumes of water each year from sources such as rivers, lakes,
reservoirs, and groundwater. China has some of the largest annual total water withdrawals across the globe, at 568.5 billion cubic meters per year. In comparison, Mexico withdrew almost 90 billion cubic meters of water in 2021.
Water scarcity
Although roughly 70 percent of Earth's surface is covered with water, less than one percent of the planet's total water resources can be classified as accessible freshwater resources. Growing populations, increased demand, and climate change are increasingly putting pressure on these precious resources. This is expected to lead to global water shortages around the world. In the United States, the megadrought in the west has seen water levels of major reservoirs that provide water to millions of people plummet to record lows. In order to prevent severe droughts in water-stressed areas today and in the future, a more efficient use of water is essential.
Water withdrawals per capita worldwide as of 2022, by select country
(in cubic meters per inhabitant)
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
OECD. (June 27, 2024). Water withdrawals per capita worldwide as of 2022, by select country (in cubic meters per inhabitant) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 13, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/263156/water-consumption-in-selected-countries/
OECD. "Water withdrawals per capita worldwide as of 2022, by select country (in cubic meters per inhabitant)." Chart. June 27, 2024. Statista. Accessed November 13, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/263156/water-consumption-in-selected-countries/
OECD. (2024). Water withdrawals per capita worldwide as of 2022, by select country (in cubic meters per inhabitant). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 13, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/263156/water-consumption-in-selected-countries/
OECD. "Water Withdrawals per Capita Worldwide as of 2022, by Select Country (in Cubic Meters per Inhabitant)." Statista, Statista Inc., 27 Jun 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/263156/water-consumption-in-selected-countries/
OECD, Water withdrawals per capita worldwide as of 2022, by select country (in cubic meters per inhabitant) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/263156/water-consumption-in-selected-countries/ (last visited November 13, 2024)
Water withdrawals per capita worldwide as of 2022, by select country (in cubic meters per inhabitant) [Graph], OECD, June 27, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/263156/water-consumption-in-selected-countries/