Each resident of Tajikistan consumes an average of 4,460 liters of water per day, more than 3.7 times the global average.  The situation is even more dire in neighboring countries, where water consumption is also alarmingly high.

Central Asian countries use several times more water per capita than the global average.  According to Worldometers, the global average is about 1,190 liters per day, while in Central Asia, the figures are reaching record levels.

Turkmenistan leads the region, with over 15,445 liters per person daily, largely due to extensive irrigation of cotton fields.  In Uzbekistan, the figure is over 4,778 liters; in Tajikistan, it’s 4,460 liters; in Kyrgyzstan, 4,153 liters; and in Kazakhstan, 3,397 liters.  Even in Afghanistan, where the per capita water consumption is 2,760 liters, it is more than twice the global average.

For comparison, France and Germany have water consumption rates below 1,500 liters per day, while many African nations use less than 200 liters.

Why Central Asia wastes so much water

The high water consumption in Central Asia can be attributed to the region's agricultural economy, where up to 80-90% of water is used for irrigation, primarily for cotton and grain fields. A major factor is also outdated infrastructure: inefficient irrigation systems lead to significant water losses in channels.

Another issue is the region’s reliance on transboundary water sources, with Turkmenistan sourcing 97% of its water from other countries, and Uzbekistan depending on external sources for 80% of its water. The uneven distribution of rainfall exacerbates this problem, with Tajikistan averaging 691 mm of rainfall annually, while Turkmenistan receives only 161 mm, creating a significant imbalance in water resources.

Tajikistan: a paradox of abundance and shortage

Tajikistan, with relatively high rainfall of about 691 mm per year, has renewable water resources totaling 22 billion cubic meters. However, nearly a fifth (17.3%) of this water comes from outside the country, making Tajikistan partially dependent on transboundary rivers. The country’s annual water consumption is 11.5 billion cubic meters, translating to around 4,460 liters per person daily, far above the global average.

Yet, despite this abundance of water, 26.2% of Tajikistan’s population lacks access to safe drinking water, the highest rate in the region. Outdated infrastructure and internal imbalances in water distribution remain major challenges for sustainable development.

Kazakhstan: limited rainfall and agriculture as a major consumer

Kazakhstan faces a more arid climate, with average annual rainfall of just 250 mm. The country’s renewable water resources amount to 108 billion cubic meters, with 40.6% sourced from outside the country. Water consumption in Kazakhstan reaches approximately 22.8 billion cubic meters annually, much of which is used for agriculture. Despite this, 7.1% of the population does not have access to safe drinking water. The country’s main challenges are its dependence on neighboring states and climate-related risks.

Kyrgyzstan: abundant rivers and access issues

Kyrgyzstan enjoys a relatively high level of rainfall, averaging 533 mm annually, and its water resources total 24 billion cubic meters, almost entirely generated within the country. Only 1.1% of its water comes from external sources. Annual water consumption is about 8 billion cubic meters, or 4,153 liters per person per day. Despite the abundance of water, 10% of Kyrgyzstan’s population lacks access to safe drinking water, particularly in mountainous areas. The key challenge for Kyrgyzstan is modernizing its water supply systems.

Turkmenistan: excessive consumption, limited access

Turkmenistan is one of the most water-scarce countries in the region, with just 161 mm of rainfall annually. Renewable water resources total 25 billion cubic meters, but 97% of this water comes from outside the country, mainly from the Amu Darya River. The country’s water consumption has reached a staggering 27.9 billion cubic meters annually, translating to 15,445 liters per person per day. Despite this high consumption, 39.6% of the population lacks access to clean water. The country faces significant risks from inefficient irrigation systems and critical dependence on external water sources.

Uzbekistan: cotton and water shortages

Uzbekistan receives an average of 206 mm of rainfall annually and has renewable water resources totaling 49 billion cubic meters, but 80.1% of these resources come from outside the country. The country’s annual water consumption exceeds 54.5 billion cubic meters, the largest figure in Central Asia. Per capita water consumption in Uzbekistan is 4,778 liters per day, but 12.7% of the population lacks access to safe drinking water. Uzbekistan’s main challenges include dependence on transboundary rivers, resource shortages, and pollution of water sources.

Melting glaciers and changing climate

Over the past 30 years, Central Asia's glaciers have shrunk by 25%, and snow cover in the mountains now lasts 30-40 days less than it did at the start of the century. This shift presents serious risks for summer water supplies and increases the threat of spring floods. At a glacier monitoring conference in Tashkent on September 17, Abror Ghafourov, a scientific researcher at the German Research Centre for Geosciences, highlighted that the main threat is the reduction of snow cover. "Snow is the main source of water in the region. While glaciers contribute up to 20% of river runoff, snow provides more than half of the water supply. Therefore, the reduction of snow cover is the region’s biggest challenge," Ghafourov said.

Researchers are using new digital forecasting systems, including the MOCSMART platform and "citizen science" methods, to improve the accuracy of water resource data. However, Ghafourov warned that without systemic water management, the region could face fierce competition for water in the coming decades.

Climate change and the threat of a new Aral disaster

The main challenges for Central Asia are tied to climate change. By mid-century, glaciers in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan could shrink by nearly half, leading to a decline in the flow of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. With a growing population, the pressure on limited water resources will intensify, raising the risk of a scenario similar to the Aral Sea disaster, where both agriculture and drinking water systems were jeopardized.

Central Asia already ranks among the world’s largest consumers of water per capita, but it faces critical challenges, from a shortage of safe drinking water and outdated irrigation systems to dependence on transboundary rivers and the consequences of climate change. To secure a sustainable future, the region must implement water-saving technologies, modernize irrigation, and enhance cooperation among countries to ensure equitable resource distribution. Otherwise, the region risks facing a new water catastrophe on a scale similar to the Aral Sea disaster.