Document(s) 9 of 66

Despite its diversity of landscapes and climates from the snowy peaks of the Atlas mountains to the empty quarter of the Arabian peninsula—most of the region’s countries cannot meet current water demand. Indeed, many face serious challenges.

The situation is likely to get worse. Per capita water availability will fall by half by 2050, with serious consequences for the region’s already-stressed aquifers and natural hydrological systems. As the region’s economies and population structures change over the next few decades, demands for water supply and irrigation services will change accordingly, as will the need to address industrial and urban pollution. Some 60 percent of the region’s water flows across international borders, further complicating the resource management challenge. This will be compounded if rainfall patterns, as predicted, shift as a result of climate change.   

Read the full report at the World Bank website link below:

Document(s) 9 of 66