State of Global Water Resources report 2024

The 2024 edition of the State of Global Water Resources report has highlighted an extraordinary year marked by record-breaking heat, climate extremes, and widespread water-related crises. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2024 was the hottest year in 175 years of observation, with global surface temperatures averaging 1.55 °C above pre-industrial levels.

At the start of the year, strong El Niño conditions intensified droughts in South America and southern Africa, while other regions grappled with devastating floods. Overall, around 60% of rivers worldwide recorded either excessive or insufficient water flows, reflecting a highly erratic hydrological cycle. Notably, 2024 marked the sixth consecutive year of such instability.

The report underscores stark regional contrasts: some areas endured severe drought, while others faced multiple flood events. Alarmingly, all glaciated regions reported ice loss in 2024, signaling accelerating impacts of climate change on freshwater reserves.

The WMO stressed that urgent investments in global water resources monitoring are required to track hydrological variability and support effective water management. Published annually, the State of Global Water Resources report provides a comprehensive quantitative overview of global water systems, helping countries, policymakers, and stakeholders identify hotspots and design informed strategies for sustainable water management.