Key facts
- Cyprus uses 72% of its freshwater resources annually, reaching 92% in summer.
- Malta's annual water usage is 33%, rising to 67% in summer.
- Greece, Romania, Portugal, Italy, and Spain also face high water exploitation rates during summer periods.
- Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of water shortages in Europe.
- Approximately 10% of EU citizens face difficulties accessing sufficient safe and clean water.
As Europe grapples with another intense summer, significant disparities in water stress levels across the continent are becoming increasingly apparent. While the overall EU freshwater usage rate of 5.8% might suggest a manageable situation, individual countries face critical challenges. Cyprus is in a perpetual state of emergency, utilizing 72% of its freshwater resources annually, with usage soaring to 92% during the summer months. This situation is exacerbated by a rapidly growing population and has prompted government initiatives for water conservation and the installation of desalination plants.
Malta follows with a 33% annual water usage rate that escalates to 67% in the summer. Other Mediterranean and Southern European nations, including Greece (37%), Romania (34%), Portugal (31%), Italy (27%), and Spain (26.5%), also experience concerningly high water exploitation levels during the warmer months, placing them well within the warning zone.
The European Environment Agency (EEA) forecasts that climate change and recurring drought events will likely intensify the frequency, intensity, and impact of water shortages across Europe until at least 2030. Reports indicate that approximately one in ten EU citizens struggles to access sufficient safe and clean water, with Cyprus and Greece being the most affected. Interestingly, some countries like Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia, and Ireland report poor water access despite not experiencing high freshwater exploitation rates, suggesting that aging infrastructure and supply system deficiencies are significant contributing factors.
Conversely, countries such as France, Portugal, and Spain, despite their high water usage figures, appear to manage the distribution of clean and safe water more effectively, with rates of affected citizens well below the EU average.