Annual freshwater withdrawals, total in World
World: Annual freshwater withdrawals, total was 3,853 billion cubic meters in 2022. ▬ Flat
Annual freshwater withdrawals, total in World, 2014–2022
Source: AQUASTAT - FAO's Global Information System on Water and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in billion cubic meters.
Analysis
The most recent figure for annual freshwater withdrawals, total in World is 3,853 billion cubic meters, measured in 2022.
The figure is up 0.1% on the previous year and up 0.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual freshwater withdrawals, total in World peaked at 3,918 billion cubic meters in 2017 and was at its lowest, 3,850 billion cubic meters, in 2021.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 3,886 billion cubic meters | 3,851 billion cubic meters | 3,918 billion cubic meters | 6 |
| 2020s | 3,859 billion cubic meters | 3,850 billion cubic meters | 3,876 billion cubic meters | 3 |
More climate change data for World
- Population growth 0.9% (2025)
- Population, total 8.22 billion (2025)
- Urban population growth 1.4% (2025)
- Urban population 4.75 billion (2025)
- Urban population 57.8% (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 25.3% (2025)
- Annual freshwater withdrawals, total 9.0% (2022)
- Terrestrial protected areas 16.5% (2025)
- Terrestrial and marine protected areas 17.0% (2025)
- Marine protected areas 17.5% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual freshwater withdrawals, total in World?
- Annual freshwater withdrawals, total in World was 3,853 billion cubic meters in 2022, according to AQUASTAT - FAO's Global Information System on Water and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest annual freshwater withdrawals, total recorded in World?
- The highest recorded value was 3,918 billion cubic meters in 2017.
- What is the lowest annual freshwater withdrawals, total recorded in World?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,850 billion cubic meters in 2021.
- Is annual freshwater withdrawals, total rising or falling in World?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this World data come from?
- The figures come from AQUASTAT - FAO's Global Information System on Water and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Annual freshwater withdrawals, total (billion cubic meters). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Annual freshwater withdrawals refer to total water withdrawals, not counting evaporation losses from storage basins. Withdrawals also include water from desalination plants in countries where they are a significant source. Withdrawals can exceed 100 percent of total renewable resources where extraction from nonrenewable aquifers or desalination plants is considerable or where there is significant water reuse. Withdrawals for agriculture and industry are total withdrawals for irrigation and livestock production and for direct industrial use (including withdrawals for cooling thermoelectric plants). Withdrawals for domestic uses include drinking water, municipal use or supply, and use for public services, commercial establishments, and homes.