(Web Desk) - The United Nations has issued a stark warning that the global water crisis has entered a state of “global bankruptcy,” as many regions around the world now face permanent water scarcity.
According to a new flagship report released by UN researchers states that scientists, policymakers, and the media have long warned of a “global water crisis,” often treating it as a short-term shock followed by recovery. However, the report cautions that this assumption no longer holds true in many parts of the world.
The study highlights that several regions are now experiencing chronic water shortages, where water systems can no longer realistically return to their historical conditions. Kavita (Kaveh) Madani, Director of the UN University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, said that what was once considered “normal” in terms of water availability has effectively ended in much of the world.
Speaking at a press briefing, Madani stressed that the purpose of the report is not to spread despair, but to encourage practical action. He said the findings are meant to acknowledge failures in managing water resources and to motivate stronger measures to protect water security in the future.
Madani explained that while the situation does not mean total failure, it closely resembles a state of bankruptcy, with consequences spreading through trade, migration, and geopolitical interdependence. He noted that the global risk landscape has fundamentally changed due to worsening water stress.
The report warns that the impacts of water scarcity fall disproportionately on small farmers, indigenous communities, low-income urban populations, women, and youth, while the benefits of excessive water use are often enjoyed by more powerful groups.
The UN defines “water bankruptcy” as the excessive extraction and pollution of water beyond safe and renewable limits, along with irreversible damage to vital ecosystems such as wetlands and lakes.