Water is not only an essential natural resource, but also a key determinant of social and economic well-being. Around the world, however, there are significant inequalities in access to clean water and adequate sanitation. Some 2.2 billion people worldwide still lack access to safe drinking water. Report Water For Shared Prosperity emphasizes that equitable access to water resources is an indispensable component of sustainable development. To achieve this goal, coordinated international action is needed.
Alarming statistics
A global report presented at the 10th World Water Forum, prepared in cooperation between the World Bank and the Indonesian government, presents alarming statistics: in 2022 . 2.2 billion people lacked access to safe drinking water, 3.5 billion lacked access to safely managed sanitation, and 1.7 billion lacked access to basic water services in health care facilities. Moreover, the differences between regions are significant, with rural areas being the most affected by shortages.
Low-income countries in particular have seen a regression in access to safe drinking water, with an additional 197 million people without access since 2000. Eight out of ten people without access to basic water and sanitation services live in rural areas, and little progress has been made over the past two decades in closing the gap between rural and urban areas in low-income countries. The resulting infectious diseases cause at least 1.4 million deaths a year and account for 50 percent. malnutrition cases worldwide.
Water For Shared Prosperity report – a deeper understanding
Water For Shared Prosperity fills an important knowledge gap by analyzing inequalities in access to water at two levels: internationally, particularly between high- and low-income countries, and domestically, between the richest and poorest segments of society. Its goal is to identify water challenges and threats facing the most poor and marginalized communities, and to provide information on policies that increase water availability, improve climate resilience, reduce poverty and promote shared prosperity. While there are many reports on water and development, this one in particular focuses on the relationship between access to water and inclusive economic growth.
How does water affect prosperity?
The report outlines three main aspects through which water determines prosperity:
- A theoretical framework showing the link between access to water and shared prosperity:
- Health and education (human capital). Water plays a key role in ensuring equality of opportunity in the areas of health and education. Numerous studies have shown that there is a direct link between safe and reliable access to water and various aspects of health. Of particular relevance is that the impact of access to water on human capital development, especially in the early stages of life, has long-lasting effects that can span multiple generations, especially for disadvantaged individuals and communities.
- Jobs and Income. Water is an essential element of production, and a reliable supply has a huge impact on economic growth, job creation and wages. In developing countries, where agriculture and fishing are the main sources of livelihood, employment depends heavily on water-intensive sectors and is highly sensitive to water availability.
- Peace and social cohesion (social capital). The management and distribution of shared water resources can affect social cohesion and the risk of conflict at the local, national and transboundary levels. Effective and equitable management of water resources can promote trust, inclusiveness and cooperation among communities, which ultimately promotes peace. In contrast, poor water management can exacerbate existing conflicts or lead to new ones.
- Environment (natural capital). Water provides habitat for aquatic life, supports biodiversity, and enables the transport of nutrients within and between ecosystems. It acts as a coolant, regulating temperature, influences weather and climate patterns, and shapes landscapes through erosion and sedimentation. In short, water sustains life, promotes biodiversity and makes our planet livable.
- Presenting new empirical evidence on the causes, extent and costs of water inequality:
- Geographic, socioeconomic and political factors contribute to inequality, and people in rural areas and developing countries are most affected. Inequalities in access to water lead to serious health, economic and social costs, including high child mortality, reduced productivity and reduced educational opportunities for women and girls. Climate change is exacerbating these inequities through more frequent droughts and floods and changing precipitation patterns.
- Identify policies that improve access to water, increase resilience to climate change and promote shared prosperity on a dynamically changing planet:
- Improving resilience to extreme hydro-climatic risks by implementing early warning systems, developing insurance programs, and expanding social protection.
- Improve management, development and allocation of water resources by scaling nature-based solutions, better coordinating water allocation and adopting water accounting.
- Equitable and inclusive delivery of water services through institutional and tariff reforms, participatory water management, promoting innovation and improving coordination among institutions.
By implementing these recommendations, we can move toward a future in which water resources are managed sustainably, guaranteeing widespread prosperity and ensuring that our planet is fit for life for all.