The global water crisis is increasingly concentrated in cities, as mounting evidence shows that major urban centres around the world are facing severe water stress. Data highlighted in recent reporting indicate that many of the world’s largest cities are withdrawing water at rates that approach or exceed available supplies, placing intense pressure on already strained systems. This trend underscores how urban areas have become focal points of water scarcity and insecurity.
Urban water stress is driven not only by climate change but also by governance, infrastructure, and management challenges. As cities expand, water availability is changing unevenly, with some regions experiencing long-term drying and others seeing increased rainfall. In some areas, water systems have deteriorated to the point where recovery to previous baselines is no longer realistic, emphasizing the need for long-term, sustainable approaches rather than short-term fixes.
The human impact of urban water scarcity is profound. More than a billion people live in large metropolitan areas located in regions experiencing persistent drying, while far fewer live in cities benefiting from wetter trends. Many of the cities facing the most severe water shortages are also growing rapidly, raising serious concerns about how future water demand will be met and how shortages will affect livelihoods, health, and economic stability.
Urbanization is accelerating these pressures. With more than half of the global population already living in cities and that share expected to rise significantly by 2050, urban areas will absorb nearly all future population growth. Water demand in cities is projected to rise sharply over the coming decades, increasing the risk of seasonal shortages for billions of urban residents and placing unprecedented strain on water and sanitation systems.
Water stress in cities is closely linked to inequality. A rapidly growing number of people live in informal settlements where access to safe and affordable water and sanitation is limited or unreliable. As urban populations expand, residents of these settlements often face the greatest risks, reinforcing cycles of vulnerability and exclusion within cities.
These challenges are increasingly shaping global policy discussions. International forums and preparatory meetings for upcoming global conferences are emphasizing the critical role of cities, local governments, and public water operators in achieving universal access to water and sanitation. Strengthening local institutions, improving service delivery, and building resilience to climate shocks are emerging as central priorities.
Efforts are also focusing on supporting water and sanitation utilities, which are essential to delivering reliable services but are often under-resourced and exposed to climate-related risks. Collaborative approaches that enable utilities to share knowledge and strengthen operational capacity are being highlighted as practical ways to improve resilience and service quality.
Overall, the growing focus on urban water challenges reflects a broader recognition that progress on housing, resilience, and social equity is inseparable from access to safe water and sanitation. As cities continue to grow, addressing the global water crisis will increasingly depend on how effectively urban water systems are managed, financed, and governed.
