Global renewable freshwater resources total 42.8 trillion cubic meters, but more than 40% of that volume is concentrated in just five countries, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization’s AQUASTAT database.
Brazil leads with 5.661 trillion cubic meters, representing 13.2% of the world total. Roughly 75% of Brazil’s renewable supply comes from the Amazon basin.
Russia ranks second with 4.312 trillion cubic meters (10.1%), followed by Canada at 2.850 trillion cubic meters. The USA and China complete the top five.
Nine additional countries — Colombia, Indonesia, Peru, India, Myanmar, and three others — each hold more than one trillion cubic meters of renewable freshwater.
At the other extreme, the Middle East collectively accounts for about 1% of global renewable resources, while African countries hold roughly 9%.
Biologist Andrey Voroshilov notes that renewable resources encompass both groundwater and surface runoff replenished annually by precipitation. He warns that the high geographic concentration of water, alongside widespread deficits elsewhere, creates risks for food security and biodiversity in arid regions.
The AQUASTAT figures describe the global balance of renewable supply but do not reflect how much of that water is practically accessible. Logistical constraints and pollution can render portions of the recorded volume unavailable for human use.
Andrey Voroshilov, biologist: Renewable resources include not only groundwater but also surface runoff, which is replenished annually by precipitation.
However, the high concentration of water in several regions amid a general deficit in others creates risks for food security and biodiversity in arid zones.
Pravda / ABC Flash Point News 2026.
Source: This article was adapted from an original Russian-language publication by Pravda.Ru.
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With Nestle privatizing most fresh water resources selling this in plastic bottles making zillions.
Thank God that Scottish Water is a Scottish government owned public utility . But not so in England I sign many petitions by English people who complain of very high charges and the quality of the water — private companies have shareholders looking for a profit. Long ago Westminster proposed to run a pipe from Scotland to the south of England as the south of England has limited supplies taking much from Wales but it proved economically to cost too much money as well as the logistics involved . When I lived in London a lot of the water was… Read more »