Pakistan’s per-person water availability has plunged far below the internationally recognized scarcity level, according to new data from the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR). The country now has just 733 cubic meters per person per year, significantly under the global benchmark of 1,000 cubic meters.
The PCRWR report paints a stark picture: Pakistan can store less than 10% of its annual river flow—well below the global norm of 40%. With 80% of the nation’s water arriving in a short four-month window, the rest of the year brings persistent shortages.
Adding to the problem, sediment build-up is steadily eroding the capacity of existing reservoirs. Agriculture remains the biggest drain, with just four crops consuming three-quarters of all irrigation water. Many farms still rely on outdated, wasteful irrigation techniques, and water-thirsty crops continue to dominate cultivation patterns.
The council’s conclusion is blunt: without urgent investment in storage infrastructure and more efficient farming methods, Pakistan’s water situation will only deteriorate.
