Water scarcity in West Asia is an escalating crisis that threatens economic stability, food security, and geopolitical stability in an already volatile region. As one of the driest parts of the world, West Asia faces extreme water stress due to limited natural freshwater resources, rapid population growth, climate change, and inefficient water management. The increasing strain on water resources is not just an environmental challenge but a significant geopolitical issue that fuels conflicts, exacerbates regional tensions, and impacts millions of lives. Addressing this crisis requires urgent policy reforms, regional cooperation, and innovative solutions to ensure sustainable water management.
The scale of the crisis
West Asia is home to nearly 6 per cent of the world's population but has access to less than 1 per cent of the world’s renewable freshwater resources. Many countries in the region, including Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Iraq, are experiencing severe water stress, with per capita water availability far below the 1,000 cubic meters per year threshold that defines water scarcity. In some cases, such as in Yemen and Jordan, per capita water availability is as low as 100-200 cubic meters per year, making them among the most water-insecure nations on earth. In addition to natural aridity, factors such as inefficient irrigation, high water consumption in agriculture, and poor wastewater management worsen the crisis. Agriculture accounts for nearly 85 per cent of water use in the region, often relying on outdated irrigation techniques that lead to excessive water loss. Groundwater depletion has reached critical levels in nations such as Saudi Arabia and Iran, where over-extraction of aquifers has led to land subsidence, reduced agricultural output, and water contamination.
Geopolitical implications of water scarcity
Water scarcity has long been a source of geopolitical friction in West Asia. As water sources become insufficient, competition over rivers, aquifers, and reservoirs intensifies, straining diplomatic relations between neighbouring states. One of the most contentious disputes involves the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, originating in Turkey and flowing through Syria and Iraq. Turkey’s construction of large-scale dams, including the Ilisu Dam, has significantly reduced water flow downstream, leading to disputes with Iraq and Syria, both of which depend on these rivers for agriculture and drinking water. Similarly, the Nile River dispute has pitted Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia against each other, with Egypt fearing that Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD) will drastically reduce its water supply.
Another source of water conflict is the Jordan River Basin shared by Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. Israel's heavy utilisation of the Jordan River’s waters has been a point of contention, particularly for Palestinians who have limited access to water resources in the West Bank. The Israeli-Palestinian water conflict remains unresolved, with water access being a major sticking point in peace negotiations. Beyond state-level conflicts, water shortages are also fuelling internal unrest. In Iran, protests have erupted over water shortages, particularly in the province of Khuzestan, where water mismanagement and climate change have led to severe droughts. Similarly, Yemen’s ongoing civil war has been worsened by water scarcity, with control over water sources becoming a key battleground between warring factions.
The role of climate change
Climate change is exacerbating West Asia’s water crisis by increasing temperatures, altering rainfall patterns, and intensifying droughts. Studies predict that by 2050, average temperatures in the region could rise by 3-5°C, further reducing the already limited water supply. Rising sea levels threaten coastal freshwater sources, while desertification is expanding at an alarming rate, reducing arable land and putting additional pressure on agriculture.
Jordan, for example, has experienced a 98 per cent decline in water availability over the past 50 years due to rising temperatures and decreased rainfall. In Iraq, the worsening effects of climate change have reduced water levels in the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers by nearly 40 per cent severely impacting farming communities. The consequences of climate-induced water scarcity are far-reaching. The decline in agricultural output will likely lead to higher food prices, increased unemployment, and mass displacement, potentially triggering new waves of migration and instability. West Asia is already home to millions of refugees from conflict-ridden nations such as Syria, Yemen, and Iraq, and worsening water stress could further strain fragile economies and social structures.
Regional cooperation
Despite the grim outlook, several strategies can help mitigate the water crisis in West Asia. These include technological innovations, policy reforms, regional cooperation, and sustainable water management practices. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel have invested heavily in desalination technology to convert seawater into potable water. The UAE, for example, relies on desalination for 90 per cent of its drinking water needs. Expanding desalination capacity across the region could provide a long-term solution to water shortages, though concerns about energy consumption and environmental impact remain. Improved wastewater treatment and reuse could help ease water stress. Israel leads the world in wastewater recycling, with nearly 90 per cent of its wastewater being reused for agriculture. Similar efforts in other West Asian countries could significantly reduce freshwater demand.
Drip irrigation and other modern farming techniques can reduce agricultural water consumption by up to 60 percent making it imperative for regional governments to promote efficient irrigation systems. Diplomatic efforts to create fair water-sharing agreements are crucial. Countries that share water resources, such as Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, must engage in negotiations that ensure equitable access to water while preventing unilateral actions that harm downstream nations.
Initiatives like the Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance Project, which aims to desalinate water and share resources between Israel, Jordan, and Palestine, could serve as models for future cooperation. Governments must implement policies that encourage water conservation, reduce subsidies for wasteful water use, and enforce stricter regulations on groundwater extraction. Public awareness campaigns and incentives for water-saving appliances can help reduce domestic water consumption.
(The writer is assistant professor, Amity Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Amity University, Noida)
