The table compares the percentage of water used across three sectors – domestic use, industry, and agriculture – in four countries, namely, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and Canada.
Overall, agriculture represents by far the largest proportion of water use in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, with the former recording the highest figure. By contrast, a significantly greater proportion of water is used for industrial purposes in New Zealand and Canada, with the latter registering the highest figure. Domestic water use is relatively low in most countries, with Canada being the exception, where agriculture accounts for the smallest share.
A relatively large proportion of water is used for agricultural purposes in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The figure for Egypt stands at 82%, followed at a considerable distance by Saudi Arabia, at 64%. While 44% of total water consumption in New Zealand is used for agricultural purposes, the figure for Canada is just 10%.
By contrast, Canada and New Zealand have high levels of industrial water use. The figure for Canada stands at 70%, whereas New Zealand has a lower figure, at 46%. At 30%, Saudi Arabia’s proportion is three times that of Egypt.
As for domestic water use, most of these countries record lower figures than for the other sectors. Canada takes the lead, at 20%, double the figure for New Zealand. There is only a 2-percentage-point difference between the figures for Egypt and Saudi Arabia, with the latter trailing at 6%.