10 Shocking Facts About the Global Water Shortage

WM-Pop-10-Shocking-Facts-About-the-Global-Water-Shortage_K3O6W2

OC:

Hey everyone, Im Rebecca and welcome to WatchMojo. Ive got some exciting news to share with you weve teamed up with MrBeast and Mark Rober on an incredible mission: TeamWater. Together, were aiming to raise $40 million to bring clean, safe water to 2 million people around the world. This video dives into why water is such a complex global issue and why the time to act is now. Want to be part of the solution? Visit www.TeamWater.org to join the movement. Thanks for watching and I hope this video moves you to take action with us!

Most Freshwater Is Out of Reach

You might be wondering - if 70% of the Earths surface is covered by water, why is only a tiny fraction of it actually usable? Well, most of it is saltwater, and nearly all the remaining freshwater is locked away in glaciers or deep underground. That leaves around 0.014% of Earths water readily accessible in rivers, lakes, and shallow aquifers. This limited supply must meet the needs of over 8 billion people - plus agriculture, industry, and energy. As the population grows, this microscopic slice of usable water becomes even more precious - and unfortunately, more strained.

4 Billion Face Annual Water Scarcity

Every year, nearly two-thirds of the global population - about 4 billion people - experience severe water shortages for at least one month. And no, this isnt just in developing countries. Major cities like Cape Town, São Paulo, and even Los Angeles have come dangerously close to running dry. These water shortages dont only impact health, they also affect things like agriculture and economic stability. In some regions, rivers are drying up before they reach the ocean. Sadly, with growing demand and worsening droughts, even more areas may soon face year-round scarcity.

Agriculture Is Thirsty and Growing

Its been estimated that by 2030, the global population will top 8.5 billion people. This, of course, means more mouths to feed and more water needed to grow food. Agriculture already consumes about 70% of global freshwater. So, to feed the next billion people? Well, well need an extra trillion cubic meters of water annually. To put that in perspective, thats the equivalent to 100 Colorado Rivers. If farming doesnt get more efficient, the demand could far outpace supply. With that, water-smart innovation in irrigation and crop production is becoming increasingly vital.

Heading For a Major Shortfall

According to the United Nations, global freshwater demand could exceed supply by as much as 40% as early as 2030. Changes in the climate is said to be accelerating this trend by driving more frequent droughts and disrupting things like rainfall patterns. At the same time, urbanization and industrial activity are also driving up water use. This looming gap could trigger widespread food insecurity and mass migration. The projected short fall only further highlights that the future of water isn't just about access - it's about survival.

Mass Starvation

In 2025, a distressing report revealed that approximately 90 million people across eastern and southern Africa are on the brink of starvation. The reason for this heartbreaking stat? You guessed it - relentless drought. In many of these areas, the scarce water has led to crops failing and livestock deaths. Sadly, clean water is nearly impossible to find. These devastating conditions are forcing families to walk for hours just to fetch a single container of water. The United Nations has since warned that water scarcity is becoming one of the greatest threats to global food security.

Women Bear the Burden

What if we told you that every day, women and girls around the world spend a collective 250 million hours fetching water? Yep, in some countries, they walk upwards of 6 kilometers a day - often carrying up to 20 kilos of water on their heads. We did the conversion and thats 44 pounds! Sadly, this daily chore keeps millions of girls out of school and places women in poverty. It also exposes them to danger along remote routes. It turns out that water access isnt just a resource problem - its a gender equity issue.

Hundreds of Million Go Without Water

Despite an influx of technological advancements, some 700 million-plus people still live without regular access to water. Thats more than double the population of the United States! Many of these affected individuals live in rural areas or conflict zones. This means that critical infrastructure is either poor or has been destroyed. Because of this, the lack of water greatly affects everything in these locations - from sanitation and hygiene to education and economic opportunity. Unfortunately, without clean water, it also means that these communities remain stuck in cycles of poverty.

2023 Was the Driest in Decades

In 2023, the United Nations reported that global river flows hit their lowest levels in over three decades. Uncharacteristically, rivers that have powered civilizations for centuries, such as the Yangtze River, the Rhine River, and the Colorado River, ran dangerously low or even dried up in certain parts. The culprits? Rampant overuse, unchecked pollution, and accelerating changes in the climate. Unfortunately, if this trajectory holds, vanishing rivers wont be rare - theyll be the new normal. And without them, the ripple effects on food, energy, and human survival will be immense.

2 Billion Lack Safe Drinking Water

Staggeringly, an estimated 2 billion people dont have access to safely managed drinking water services. With that, their water is often untreated and unprotected making it incredibly unsafe for consumption. As you might imagine, the consequences are extremely harmful, as contaminated water spreads diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery (to name but a few). It also puts stress on healthcare systems and stunts economic development. Access to clean water has proven to be not just a luxury, but a human right. Sadly, its one that too many in the world are denied.

Unsafe Water Kills

If you still werent convinced how critical access to clean water is, consider this: diseases linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation kill over 1 million people each year. Most heartbreaking of all, a child under five dies every few minutes from waterborne illnesses. These deaths are entirely preventable. With access to clean water, proper sanitation, and basic hygiene education, countless lives could be saved. Yet, despite the staggering toll, water often remains an afterthought in global aid and infrastructure planning. For millions - especially the most vulnerable - clean water is the difference between life and death.

Remember, water is life - and together, we can save it. Don't forget to visit www.TeamWater.org to help make a difference