OECD for Greece: 30% lost water from the water supply system

The percentage of water that goes missed by the Water Supply Systems in Greece It is approaching 30% based on the data cited by the OECD in its latest 2025 report on the world’s drought 2025. It is in a worse position than countries such as Poland, Spain and Britain and in a much worse position than countries such as Germany, Denmark and Estonia.

In addition, the OECD estimates that the percentage of territories with an increased drought frequency in our country is 87%. In terms of drought intensity, these territories in Greece reach 52%. These latest elements for frequency and drought integration are average frequency between 1950-2000 and 2000-2020 as reported.

In its report, the Agency states that in the world level droughts are becoming more and more frequent and serious worldwide. The report shows that the global land affected by drought doubled between 1900 and 2020, with 40% of the planet experiencing increased frequency and drought intensity in recent decades.

The OECD believes that the increasing risk of drought stems from a combination of factors, with climate change in the core of the problem. As an example, climate change made drought in Europe by up to 20 times more likely in 2022 and increased the likelihood of continuing drought in North America by 42%. It also refers to predictions that show that in a 4 ° C temperature rise scenario, droughts could be up to seven times more frequent and intense compared to a climate change scenario.

It is reported that at the global level agriculture is the most affected sector. In particularly dry years, crop yields can be reduced by up to 22%, while doubling the duration of drought could reduce the production of basic crops such as soy and corn by up to 10%.

Droughts can reduce the volume of commerce by up to 40% and reduce hydroelectric production by more than 25%, affecting supply chains and energy availability.

The human impact of drought is just as serious. Although they represent only 6% of natural disasters, droughts cause 34% of all disaster -related deaths and exacerbating displacement and migration, especially in sub -Saharan Africa. Overall, these effects can cause political instability, social upheaval and geopolitical tensions due to rare resources, the organization adds.

Sustainable solution for areas with limited or reduced freshwater supply is provided by desalination, provided that the negative side effects are addressed. In Europe, desalination is widely used in the Mediterranean region- especially in countries such as Greece, Italy and Spain- as a complementary source, mainly in dealing with seasonal or local water scarcity in coastal areas, the OECD said.

Share of lost water in water supply systems selected European spaces

Source: OECD