Freshwater scarcity and unsafe drinking water
Around 2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water, and the urban population facing water scarcity could double to 1.7–2.4 billion by 2050.
How this affects people
Water scarcity is both physical — too little water where people live — and economic, when infrastructure, governance or money are missing. Growing cities, irrigated agriculture and a warming climate all increase pressure on rivers and aquifers.
Between two and three billion people experience water shortages for at least a month each year. Shared river basins, such as the Nile, the Tigris–Euphrates and the Indus, make cooperation between countries essential.
Unsafe water and sanitation remain a leading cause of preventable disease, and water stress can compound food insecurity, displacement and conflict.
Look at what keeps the problem going
- 01Over-extraction of groundwater, largely for irrigation
- 02Rapid urban growth outpacing water infrastructure
- 03Pollution from untreated wastewater, industry and agriculture
- 04Shifting rainfall, glacier retreat and more intense droughts
What could happen next
The future leaves room for choices. Compare the outlooks, check what supports them and notice where the evidence becomes less certain
Drought years hit hardest where storage is weakest
Seasonal shortages will again affect billions. Cities with low storage and ageing networks face rationing in dry seasons.
The future is not a timetable. These summaries reflect published scenarios and trends, with deeper uncertainty at longer horizons. Choices made now matter.
Where could a useful response begin?
Begin with a question you can investigate. Compare the sources and follow related briefings to see how the problem connects to other lives and places. This prototype does not accept proposals yet.
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