Amid severe water stress, Libya’s per capita water consumption is more than three times the global average, leading to concerns about long-term sustainability and water security.
Libya tops the list of Arab countries in water consumption, consuming approximately 2392 liters per person daily, which is over three times the world’s average rate, according to the United Nations.
The UN’s Libya Facebook page has highlighted that wastage is one of the worrying signs of unsustainable consumption in the country. Libya exhausts more than 80% of its renewable water resources, ranking it among the most water-stressed nations globally.
Industrial and Agricultural Consumption Patterns
There’s little distinction between water used for irrigation and industrial production in Libya, as consumption rates for both sectors exceed global averages by nearly threefold. The United Nations reminded that Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 aims to foster sustainable consumption and production patterns.
On May 21, a scientific study presented to the Water Resources and Water Security Scientific Conference recommended enhancing the efficiency of the Great Man-Made River system and desalinating seawater as part of a broader strategy for Libya’s water security.
In March, the African Development Bank launched a project to assess and improve the regulatory, legal, and strategic framework of Libya’s water sector. Based on indicators from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Libya possesses 105 cubic meters of renewable water per person annually. This ranks Libya at the eighth lowest level in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Libya has been classified among the top 20 nations suffering from water stress globally. Over 97% of the total resources utilized come from non-renewable groundwater sources. This alarming data is complemented by international warnings forecasting droughts every five years.
