The nexus of agricultural water use and economic development level

Abstract

     For many countries in the world, especially developing countries, the agricultural sector contributes low income to the country. However, this sector consumes the largest amount of water. Water is essential for the production of agricultural goods and services, which generate income and create national wealth. Therefore, this paper studied the relationship of water use for agricultural purposes in 154 countries and their economic development. In this study, the economic development in a country, as indicated by per capita GNI, was separated into 4 income groups, based on the World Bank criteria: (1) high income; (2) upper-middle income; (3) lower-middle income; and (4) low income. The results of the study revealed that water use for agricultural purposes usually takes the highest proportion of water consumption in low, lower-middle, and upper-middle income countries. The study also indicated that the quantity of water used for agricultural purposes gradually increased with the income of a country; that is, the greater the income, the more agricultural water was used. On the other hand, less water was consumed in high-income countries.