Data: Water abstraction in the EU by economic sector between 2000 and 2022

"EU Member States have reduced their total water abstraction by 19%, from 242.000 M m³ in 2000 to 197.000 M m³ in 2022, due to better water conveyance (transport of water from its source to where it is needed), efficiency of use, and socio-economic changes. However, the goal to reduce water abstraction to below 20% of renewable freshwater resources by 2020 has not been achieved in all European river basins, and it seems unlikely that this will be achieved soon. Most water is abstracted for electricity cooling, agriculture, manufacturing, and public water supply", highlights the European Environment Agency in its 2025 Environment and Climate report.

The largest economic sector for water abstraction is the cooling of electricity generation, which accounts for 22% of the total in 2022. Agriculture accounts for 29% of total water abstraction in 2022, public water supply for 21% and manufacturing for 15%. Construction & mining and quarrying each account for 1% of total water abstraction in 2022. Between 2000 and 2022, water abstraction declined overall, primarily driven by mining and…