The pie charts illustrate the different percentages of water used in industry, agriculture and households in six areas of the world.
It is clear that in most regions, agriculture consumes the largest amount of water. By contrast, industrial use takes up the highest proportion in North America and Europe.
Most of the water is used for agriculture in South America, Africa, Central Asia, and South East Asia, with the highest percentage in Central Asia, at 88%. In South America, domestic water use, accounted for 19% of the total water use, while it is lower than 10% in the other three areas. There is the least water used for industry in South America, Asia, and Central Asia. However, Southeast Asia’s industrial water use stands at 12%, surpassing other areas.
North America and Europe see the most water consumed for industrial purposes, at 48% and 53% respectively. Takes up about one-third in both regions, and the amount of agricultural water consumption is twice higher than the domestic.