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Freshwater use by continents is partly based on several
socio-economic development factors, including population, physiography,
and climatic characteristics.
- Annual global freshwater withdrawal has grown from 3 790 km3
(of which consumption accounted for 2 070 km3 or 61%)
in 1995, to ~4 430 km3 (of which consumption accounted
for 2 304 km3 or 52%) in 2000 (Shiklomanov, 1999).
- In 2000, about 57% of the world's freshwater withdrawal, and
70% of its consumption, took place in Asia, where the world's
major irrigated lands are located (UNESCO, 1999).
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- In the future, annual global water withdrawal is expected to
grow by about 10-12% every 10 years, reaching approximately 5
240 km3 (or an increase of 1.38 times since 1995) by
2025. Water consumption is expected to grow at a slower rate of
1.33 times (UNESCO, 1999).
- In the coming decades, the most intensive growth of water withdrawal
is expected to occur in Africa and South America (increasing by
1.5-1.6 times), while the smallest growth will take place in Europe
and North America (1.2 times) (Harrison and Pearce, 2001; Shiklomanov,
1999; UNESCO, 1999).
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