Water crisis looms in several European countries
Freshwater resources in several European countries, especially Cyprus and Malta, are being used near critical levels. Climate change and aging infrastructure are exacerbating the problem.
As Europe experiences another hot summer, the "Europe in Motion" program analyzes the continent's freshwater scarcity. Although the EU overall uses only 5.8% of its freshwater resources, disparities between countries are significant.
Cyprus is effectively living in a permanent state of emergency. According to Eurostat and the European Environment Agency (EEA), the country already uses 72% of its freshwater, rising to 92% in summer. For comparison, a country enters a high-risk zone when it uses 20% of its resources. The government is installing desalination plants to secure drinking water for residents and tourists, and Cyprus's presidency of the EU Council has made fighting this crisis a priority.
Malta follows with an annual consumption of 33%, increasing to 67% in summer. Greece reaches 37% in summer, Romania 34%, Portugal 31%, Italy 27%, and Spain 26.5%—all firmly in the risk zone.
The EEA predicts climate change will increase the frequency, intensity, and impacts of water scarcity by 2030. A report titled "Overheated and Underprepared" indicates that about one in ten EU residents faces difficulties securing enough safe, clean water—36.5% in Cyprus and 31.5% in Greece.
Notably, several countries with poor water access, such as Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia, and Ireland, do not have particularly high freshwater usage rates. This suggests the problem often lies in aging infrastructure and water supply system deficiencies rather than actual water shortage. Despite high water stress, France, Portugal, and Spain appear better at distributing clean drinking water, with the share of residents facing problems significantly below the EU average of 9%.
