FAO defines the level of water scarcity using the "water stress" indicator, which indicates the percentage of water withdrawn relative to its available supply. In Central Asia, water stress is becoming increasingly relevant, as 82% of all water withdrawals are used for agricultural purposes.
However, positive changes in water resource management are observed in the region: the total volume of freshwater withdrawals has decreased by 9% — from 123 million cubic meters in 2015 to 112 million in 2022, and the water stress level has decreased from 76.8% to 70.2%, representing a reduction of 8.6%.
The high level of water stress indicates that annual water withdrawals are nearly reaching or exceeding the volumes of natural replenishment, threatening the sustainability of both water ecosystems and the economies of the region.
According to FAO estimates, progress is being made in improving water use efficiency in Central Asia, but the high stress levels in most arid areas highlight the need for the implementation of long-term adaptive and sustainable management solutions.
The photo on the main page is illustrative: motherjones.com.
