Water bankruptcy is now widespread, UN scientists report

A UN-led report published Jan. 20, 2026 says the world has entered an era of 'water bankruptcy,' with about 4 billion people facing severe water scarcity for at least one month a year and many natural water systems no longer reliably recovering.

A United Nations University–led study released Jan. 20, 2026 describes the world entering an era the authors call "water bankruptcy," where many regions use more fresh water than nature can reliably replace. The report links this condition to widespread groundwater extraction, wetland loss and changing precipitation patterns driven by climate change. It notes these changes are producing long-term shifts in water systems rather than temporary shortages. The study highlights impacts on cities, agriculture and water storage around the world. Key findings: - The Global Water Bankruptcy report (published Jan. 20, 2026) was led by researchers at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health. - About 4 billion people experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year. - Groundwater extraction has contributed to significant land subsidence across more than 2.3 million square miles, including urban areas where nearly 2 billion people live. - Around 3 billion people and more than half of global food production are concentrated in areas where water storage is declining or unstable. Summary: The report concludes that many natural water systems are no longer able to return to their historical conditions, with consequences for drinking water, food production and infrastructure. Undetermined at this time.