Indicator 6.4.2 - Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources
The level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources is the ratio between total freshwater withdrawn by major economic sectors and total renewable freshwater resources, after taking into account environmental water requirements. This indicator is also known as water withdrawal intensity and will measure progress towards SDG Target 6.4.
Target 6.4
By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.
Indicator 6.4.2: Progress Assessment
Impact
This indicator will improve knowledge on the efficiency and sustainability of water usage. Together with indicator 6.4.1, it will provide vital information to ensure that water resources support the world's ecosystems and continue to be available for future generations.
Key results
Uneven water stress threatens global development.
Water stress worldwide has remained relatively stable, at 17.6 percent as of 2023. However, a closer examination at the regional level reveals a more concerning picture, with Western Asia and Northern Africa grappling with severe water scarcity. In these regions, water stress has surged by 6 percent since 2015, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to address these challenges.
Economic sectors also play a key role in shaping water stress levels. Agriculture remains the dominant user of freshwater, accounting for 72 percent of total withdrawals in 2023, followed by industry (15 percent) and services (13 percent). While agriculture plays a vital role in ensuring food security and driving economic development in many countries, it faces the growing challenge of water stress, making it both a contributor and a victim, being a sector highly vulnerable to the crisis.Highlights
Elearning
SDG Indicator 6.4.2 - Level of water stress
01/08/2023
This course provides tools, methods and processes to support countries in monitoring and reporting on
Multimedia
SDG 6 – Indicators of water use efficiency and water stress
01/01/2019
An overview of SDG indicators 6.4.1 and 6.4.2, measuring water use efficiency and water stress.
SDG 6: Level of water stress
01/01/2026
9% of the global population live in water-stressed countries. Climate change is making water more scarce and unpredictable, displacing millions of people....
Capacity development
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
Workshop on SDG indicators 6.4.1 and 6.4.2 for Eastern Africa
15/10/2019 - 18/10/2019
The goal of this workshop organized by FAO was to bring together technical experts and statisticians to help with the methodology work for SDG Indicators...
Almaty (Kazakhstan)
Workshop on SDG indicators 6.4.1 and 6.4.2 for Central Asia
08/10/2019
The goal of this workshop organized by FAO was to bring together technical experts and statisticians to help with the methodology work for SDG Indicators...
Methodology
- Metadata
- Step-by-Step Monitoring Methodology
- Incorporating environmental flows into “water stress” indicator 6.4.2. Guidelines for a minimum standard method for global reporting
- Incorporating environmental flows into “water stress” Indicator 6.4.2. Incorporating environmental flows into “water stress” Indicator 6.4.2 The role of the environmental management class in the estimation of environmental flow requirements
- Water stress plugin for Water Evaluation and Planning system (WEAP)
- Considerations on how SDG target 6.4 is reflected in Voluntary National Reviews
Tier: I
Data
- SDG Indicator Global Database
- AQUASTAT | Global Information System on Water and Agriculture
- FAOSTAT - SDG Indicators
Data collection
Related publications
- Progress on the level of water stress. Mid-term status of SDG Indicator 6.4.2 and acceleration needs, with special focus on food security, 2024
- Progress on level of water stress, 2024: visual summary
- Progress on change in water-use efficiency. Mid-term status of SDG Indicator 6.4.1 and acceleration needs, with special focus on food security and climate change, 2024
- Progress on change in water-use efficiency, 2024: visual summary