RIYADH: The Gulf Cooperation Council countries reduced annual groundwater extraction by 3 percent over the past nine years while increasing reliance on renewable water sources, according to a report issued by the GCC Statistical Center.
The findings underscore the region’s growing investment in water security and sustainable resource management. The report showed renewable water sources accounted for 25.5 percent of the region’s water mix in 2024, reflecting efforts to diversify supplies and reduce pressure on groundwater reserves amid rising demand and climate-related challenges.
The shift highlights the increasing importance of water infrastructure to the GCC’s long-term economic development plans. Reliable water supplies are critical to supporting population growth, urban expansion, industrial activity and food security across the region, which remains one of the world’s most water-scarce areas.
According to the report, GCC governments are expanding desalination capacity, increasing the reuse of treated wastewater and deploying advanced technologies to improve water management and conservation.
“This shift comes within the framework of GCC efforts to address water scarcity and climate change challenges and enhance water-use efficiency through the expansion of desalination projects, the reuse of treated water, and the adoption of modern technologies for water management and conservation,” the report said.
It added that the growing contribution of renewable water sources reflects the region’s broader strategy to diversify supply sources and reduce dependence on groundwater, helping strengthen water security and support sustainable development goals.
The GCC’s water sector has become a major area of investment as governments seek to build resilience against climate risks and future supply constraints. The region already accounts for a significant share of global desalination capacity, with new projects continuing to be announced as part of national development and economic diversification programs.
Pressure on water resources is expected to intensify in the coming decades. The UN estimates global water demand could rise by up to 30 percent by 2050, while climate change is projected to increase the frequency and severity of droughts, particularly in arid regions.
Against this backdrop, investments in desalination, water recycling, smart networks and efficiency technologies are expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting economic growth and ensuring long-term resource sustainability across the GCC.
Headquartered in Oman, the GCC Statistical Center serves as the official source of statistical data and information for GCC member states and supports statistical and planning work across the region.
