What is the UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health's definition of water bankruptcy?

Water bankruptcy is defined as persistent over-withdrawal from surface and groundwater, leading to irreversible or prohibitively costly loss of water-related natural capital.

Which regions are identified as water bankruptcy hot spots by the UNU report?

The Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and the Southwestern U.S. are identified as water bankruptcy hot spots due to severe water stress and depletion.

What are the key human-caused impacts on global water systems mentioned in the UNU report?

Key human-caused impacts include chronic groundwater depletion, pollution, deforestation, and degradation of land and soil.

Home / Environment / Global Water Bankruptcy: Planet's Basins Beyond Recovery

Global Water Bankruptcy: Planet's Basins Beyond Recovery

22 Jan

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Summary

Water systems face irreversible damage, pushing basins beyond recovery.
Chronic groundwater depletion and pollution are key impacts.
50% of large lakes lost water since early 1990s.

Global Water Bankruptcy: Planet's Basins Beyond Recovery

Humanity has entered an era of "water bankruptcy," with critical water systems experiencing irreversible damage that pushes many global basins beyond recovery. This persistent over-withdrawal of surface and groundwater, relative to renewable inflows, results in profound and costly losses of natural water capital. The report identifies chronic groundwater depletion, overallocation, pollution, and land degradation as major contributors to this crisis.

Regions like the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and the U.S. Southwest are identified as "hot spots" facing severe water stress and declining water tables. Globally, 50% of large lakes have seen water loss since the early 1990s, impacting a quarter of humanity. Additionally, 70% of major aquifers are in long-term decline, with 40% of irrigation water and 50% of domestic water drawn from these sources.

The overwhelming majority of these detrimental impacts stem from human activities. Consequently, 2 billion people live on sinking ground, and 4 billion face severe water scarcity for at least a month annually. The report, released ahead of the 2026 U.N. Water Conference, urges a fundamental reset of the global water agenda, emphasizing the need to manage water bankruptcy by preventing further irreversible damage and transforming water-intensive sectors.