Water Scarcity to Impact Over 30% of Global Population by 2050, Middle East and North Africa Facing Extreme Shortages

• Over 50 countries will face high to extremely high water stress by 2050, impacting 31% of the global population • Water scarcity expected to be most severe in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Southern Europe • By 2050, the entire Arabian Peninsula, Iran, India, and most North African countries projected to be using over 80% of available water • Southern European countries like Portugal, Spain, and Italy already under high water stress, with Spain's situation set to significantly worsen • Medium to high water stress also projected for France and Poland, corresponding to 20-40% consumption of available resources