The authors of the study emphasize that the terms "water stress" and "water crisis" no longer adequately describe the reality in several regions. They argue that we are witnessing a post-crisis state in which there is an irreversible loss of natural water capital.
Many countries have depleted not only surface water resources, such as rivers and soil, but also long-term reserves, including glaciers and wetlands.
These actions have led to serious consequences, including land subsidence in river deltas and coastal areas, the disappearance of lakes and wetlands, as well as the loss of biodiversity.
The report notes that the situation is particularly critical in the Middle East and North Africa, where water scarcity, climate change, low agricultural productivity, and sandstorms create dangerous conditions. In some parts of South Asia, the active use of groundwater for agriculture and urbanization has contributed to declining groundwater levels and localized land subsidence.
Citing global data and recent studies, the report demonstrates alarming trends, most of which are driven by human activity:
- Since the early 1990s, 50% of the world's major lakes have lost significant volumes of water;
- Over the past 50 years, the area of lost natural wetlands has reached 410 million hectares, comparable to the territory of the European Union;
- More than 30% of glacial mass has been lost since 1970, and in the coming decades, many mountain systems may completely lose their glaciers;
- During certain times of the year, dozens of major rivers do not reach the sea;
- 4 billion people experience water scarcity for at least one month each year;
- 3 billion people live in regions with diminishing water supplies, where more than 50% of the world's food is produced;
- 1.8 billion people faced drought during the period of 2022–2023.
The report emphasizes that "water bankruptcy" is not only a global hydrological issue but also a matter of justice with serious social and political implications, requiring attention at the level of governance and international cooperation.
