Economically challenged and water scarce: identification of global populations most vulnerable to water crises

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2020

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Journal Article

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Abstract

The best available high-resolution precipitation, GDP, available freshwater and withdrawal data sets are used in a combined global analysis of physical and economic water scarcity at 50 km resolution. We find that approximately 40.7 million people are living in areas with concurrent severe economic and water-scarcity constraints. These areas are mostly in semi-arid parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

Resource Type

Journal Article

Publication Year

2020

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Language

University Affiliation

Business Connect Takeaways

The study identifies the global populations most vulnerable to water crises, based on the combined effects of economic and physical water scarcity.

The authors used a composite index of vulnerability to water crises, which includes indicators such as water availability, GDP per capita, and population growth rate.

The study highlights the need for integrated water resources management and adaptive governance to address water scarcity and reduce vulnerability to water crises