Annual freshwater withdrawals, total in European Union
European Union: Annual freshwater withdrawals, total was 186.14 billion cubic meters in 2022. ▼ Falling
Annual freshwater withdrawals, total in European Union, 2014–2022
Source: AQUASTAT - FAO's Global Information System on Water and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in billion cubic meters.
Analysis
In 2022, annual freshwater withdrawals, total in European Union stood at 186.14 billion cubic meters.
That represents a change of up 0.7% on the previous year and down 7.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual freshwater withdrawals, total in European Union peaked at 201.66 billion cubic meters in 2014 and was at its lowest, 184.07 billion cubic meters, in 2020.
Annual freshwater withdrawals, total in European Union, year by year
| Year | billion cubic meters | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 201.66 billion cubic meters | — |
| 2015 | 197.52 billion cubic meters | -2.1% |
| 2016 | 189.56 billion cubic meters | -4.0% |
| 2017 | 190.93 billion cubic meters | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 188.89 billion cubic meters | -1.1% |
| 2019 | 186.34 billion cubic meters | -1.3% |
| 2020 | 184.07 billion cubic meters | -1.2% |
| 2021 | 184.8 billion cubic meters | +0.4% |
| 2022 | 186.14 billion cubic meters | +0.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 192.48 billion cubic meters | 186.34 billion cubic meters | 201.66 billion cubic meters | 6 |
| 2020s | 185 billion cubic meters | 184.07 billion cubic meters | 186.14 billion cubic meters | 3 |
Countries ranked near European Union
More climate change data for European Union
- Population growth 0.2% (2025)
- Population, total 451.13 million (2025)
- Urban population growth 0.4% (2025)
- Urban population 339.13 million (2025)
- Urban population 75.2% (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 17.8% (2025)
- Annual freshwater withdrawals, total 13.7% (2022)
- Terrestrial protected areas 26.6% (2025)
- Terrestrial and marine protected areas 21.1% (2025)
- Marine protected areas 16.8% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual freshwater withdrawals, total in European Union?
- Annual freshwater withdrawals, total in European Union was 186.14 billion cubic meters in 2022, according to AQUASTAT - FAO's Global Information System on Water and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest annual freshwater withdrawals, total recorded in European Union?
- The highest recorded value was 201.66 billion cubic meters in 2014.
- What is the lowest annual freshwater withdrawals, total recorded in European Union?
- The lowest recorded value was 184.07 billion cubic meters in 2020.
- How does European Union rank for annual freshwater withdrawals, total?
- European Union ranks 1st out of 2 groups with data for 2022.
- Is annual freshwater withdrawals, total rising or falling in European Union?
- Over the last ten years it is down 7.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this European Union data come from?
- The figures come from AQUASTAT - FAO's Global Information System on Water and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Annual freshwater withdrawals, total (billion cubic meters). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Annual freshwater withdrawals refer to total water withdrawals, not counting evaporation losses from storage basins. Withdrawals also include water from desalination plants in countries where they are a significant source. Withdrawals can exceed 100 percent of total renewable resources where extraction from nonrenewable aquifers or desalination plants is considerable or where there is significant water reuse. Withdrawals for agriculture and industry are total withdrawals for irrigation and livestock production and for direct industrial use (including withdrawals for cooling thermoelectric plants). Withdrawals for domestic uses include drinking water, municipal use or supply, and use for public services, commercial establishments, and homes.