Top 10 Countries with Freshwater Resources

Top 10 Countries with Freshwater Resources: Brazil possesses the greatest volume of renewable freshwater reserves globally, comprising approximately 12% of the world’s freshwater resources. This abundance is primarily due to the Amazon region, which holds 70% of the country’s total freshwater. Following Brazil, Russia boasts the second-largest freshwater reserve, constituting roughly one-fifth of the global freshwater supply. The United States ranks third in terms of freshwater reserves, with Canada following closely behind in fourth place.

In this article, we are going to discuss the Top 10 Countries with Freshwater Resources in detail.

Top 10 Countries with Freshwater Resources – Overview

The Antarctic ice sheet contains about 90 percent of the fresh water on the Earth’s surface. It spans roughly 8.7 million square miles. The Greenland ice sheet also holds significant amounts of fresh water. Canada is abundantly blessed with water resources. With one of the largest replenishable stores of freshwater globally, it has access to around 20% of the world’s surface freshwater and 7% of the world’s renewable water flow. Here is the Top 10 Countries with Freshwater Resources as mentioned below.

Rank	Country	Freshwater Reserve (Cubic Kilometre)	Additional Information
1	Brazil	8,233	Brazil has the most freshwater in the world, making up about 12% of all the world’s freshwater. This is mainly because of the Amazon region, which has 70% of Brazil’s freshwater.
2	Russia	4,508	Russia has the second-largest freshwater supply globally, about one-fifth of the world’s total.
3	United States	3,069	The USA is third globally in freshwater supply. It has over 100 lakes, with Lake Superior, Lake Ontario, Lake Michigan, and Lake Erie being the biggest ones.
4	Canada	2,902	Canada ranks fourth worldwide in freshwater reserves. It has many rivers and lakes, sharing borders with some of the largest lakes globally. Canada has the most lakes in the world, with around 879,800 lakes.
5	China	2,840	China is fifth in the world in terms of freshwater reserves. Poyang Lake in Jiangxi Province is China’s biggest freshwater lake.
6	Colombia	2,132	Colombia is sixth globally in freshwater reserves.
7	European Union	2,057	The European Union has many rivers and lakes. However, many of them are threatened by pollution, and there are specific environmental issues.
8	Indonesia	2,019	Indonesia is facing increasing problems with freshwater supply, especially on the islands of Java and Sumatera. Most of the freshwater is used by the agricultural sector.
9	Peru	1,913	Peru is ninth globally in freshwater reserves. Latin America has the most freshwater globally, and Peru contributes to this significantly.
10	India	1,911	India has only a small fraction of the world’s land area but is home to a large population. Despite this, it has only a small portion of the world’s freshwater resources.

Brazil – 8,233 Cubic Kilometre

Brazil possesses the largest replenishable freshwater reserves globally, accounting for 12% of the world’s total freshwater reservoirs. This comprises 70% of the global water volume within the Amazon River and 53% of South America’s water resources. Additionally, Brazil has approximately 8,647 billion cubic meters of replenishable water, translating to roughly 41,000 cubic meters per person. Nonetheless, water distribution across Brazil is uneven. For instance, São Paulo state only holds 1.6% of the country’s water, whereas 70% is situated in the Amazon River.

Total Renewable Water Resources	Approximately 8,233 cubic kilometers
Per Capita Freshwater Availability	Approximately 43,000 cubic meters
Surface Water Resources	12% of the world’s total
Groundwater Resources	80% of Brazilians rely on groundwater for drinking water
Major Rivers	Amazon River, Paraná River, São Francisco River
Largest Reservoirs	Tucuruí, Itaipu, Sobradinho
Water Usage	Agriculture: 72%, Industrial: 18%, Domestic: 10%

Russia – 4,508 Cubic Kilometre

Russia possesses one-fifth of the world’s reserves of fresh water, which includes Lake Baikal, the largest freshwater lake globally. However, the distribution of water is uneven. The central and southern regions of European Russia, where 80% of the country’s population and industry are concentrated, have access to only 8% of the nation’s water resources. Most of Russia’s freshwater reserves are locked in the frozen ground of the northern European part and western Siberia, throughout central and eastern Siberia, and nearly all of the far east region. Glaciers on Arctic islands, the Ural mountains, and the southern Siberian mountains also hold freshwater resources. Russia boasts over 120,000 rivers spanning at least ten kilometers each, totaling a length of 2.3 million kilometers.

Total Renewable Water Resources	Approximately 4,491 cubic kilometers
Per Capita Freshwater Availability	Approximately 25,000 cubic meters
Surface Water Resources	4% of the world’s total
Groundwater Resources	Considerable, but precise figures vary
Major Rivers	Volga River, Lena River, Yenisei River
Largest Reservoirs	Lake Baikal, Lake Ladoga, Lake Onega
Water Usage	Agriculture: 40%, Industrial: 35%, Domestic: 25%

United States – 3,069 Cubic Kilometre

The United States ranks third globally in terms of its abundant freshwater reserves. However, underground water stores are diminishing rapidly due to a mix of factors such as population growth, increased reliance on groundwater, and climate change. Freshwater sources serve multiple functions, including supplying drinking water, supporting recreational activities, sustaining fish populations, facilitating agriculture, and fueling industrial operations. The major lakes include Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Together, they contain roughly 90% of the freshwater within the United States and about 20% of the world’s total freshwater reservoir. Approximately forty million individuals in the United States and Canada rely on this network for access to clean drinking water.

Total Renewable Water Resources	Approximately 3,069 cubic kilometers
Per Capita Freshwater Availability	Approximately 9,200 cubic meters
Surface Water Resources	7% of the world’s total
Groundwater Resources	30% of freshwater withdrawals come from groundwater
Major Rivers	Mississippi River, Missouri River, Colorado River
Largest Reservoirs	Lake Mead, Lake Powell, Lake Sakakawea
Water Usage	Agriculture: 40%, Industrial: 40%, Domestic: 20%

Canada – 2,902 Cubic Kilometre

Canada possesses more than 20% of the world’s surface freshwater, along with 7% of the world’s replenishable water flow. Its freshwater reservoirs consist of rivers, lakes, groundwater, ice, and snow. Canada boasts over 31,000 lakes larger than three square kilometers, notably including Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake, and Lake Erie. The country’s average yearly water output is estimated at 3,472 billion cubic meters, almost matching the volume of water in Lake Huron. Moreover, Canada tops the list for the most renewable freshwater available per person each year, with 109,837 cubic meters per person, trailing only Iceland among developed nations.

Total Renewable Water Resources	Approximately 3.5 million cubic kilometers
Per Capita Freshwater Availability	Approximately 105,000 cubic meters
Surface Water Resources	7% of the world’s total
Groundwater Resources	Abundant, but specific data not readily available
Major Rivers	Mackenzie River, St. Lawrence River, Yukon River
Largest Lakes	Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake, Lake Winnipeg
Water Usage	Agriculture: 9%, Industrial: 66%, Domestic: 25%

China – 2,840 Cubic Kilometre

China possesses 2.8 trillion cubic meters of freshwater reserves, constituting 6% of the world’s water supply. Nonetheless, China’s per capita freshwater availability is merely 2,000 cubic meters, a quarter of the global average. China’s freshwater reservoirs consist of 2500 cubic kilometers of yearly river flow and 828.8 cubic kilometers of groundwater replenishment. In 2015, the State Council initiated the Action Plan for Water Pollution Prevention and Control to tackle water safety concerns. However, freshwater ecosystems exhibit poorer conditions compared to forest, grassland, and coastal ecosystems.

Total Renewable Water Resources	Approximately 2,840 cubic kilometers
Per Capita Freshwater Availability	Approximately 2,100 cubic meters
Surface Water Resources	7% of the world’s total
Groundwater Resources	Around 75% of the total water supply
Major Rivers	Yangtze River, Yellow River, Pearl River
Largest Reservoirs	Three Gorges Dam, Xiaolangdi Dam, Baihetan Dam
Water Usage	Agriculture: 62%, Industrial: 23%, Domestic: 15%

Colombia – 2,132 Cubic Kilometre

Colombia possesses abundant freshwater sources, including rivers, underground water reservoirs, and reservoirs created by dams. The country receives an average annual rainfall of 3,000 mm, with 61% of it directly replenishing the water sources. Colombia also boasts 90 small reservoirs holding a combined capacity of 3.4 km3, along with 26 larger ones with a total capacity of 9.1 km3. The Amazonas basin contributes 35%, the Orinoco basin 28%, the Magdalena-Cauca basin 14%, the Pacific region 14%, and the Caribbean region 8% to the country’s water resources.

Total Renewable Water Resources	Approximately 2,132 cubic kilometers
Per Capita Freshwater Availability	Approximately 45,000 cubic meters
Surface Water Resources	Abundant, with numerous rivers and lakes
Groundwater Resources	Significant, but not as heavily relied upon as surface water
Major Rivers	Magdalena River, Cauca River, Amazon tributaries
Largest Reservoirs	Guavio, Chivor, Prado
Water Usage	Agriculture: 60%, Industrial: 22%, Domestic: 18%

European Union – 2,057 Cubic Kilometre

Croatia boasts the highest replenishable freshwater reserves per person in the European Union, averaging 30,000 cubic meters per individual over the long run. Groundwater holds nearly one-third of the world’s total fresh water resources and in the EU, it provides 65% of drinking water and 25% of water for agricultural irrigation. Pollution of groundwater poses a significant danger to this vital resource.

Total Renewable Water Resources	Approximately 3,600 cubic kilometers
Per Capita Freshwater Availability	Approximately 6,800 cubic meters
Major Rivers	Danube River, Rhine River, Elbe River
Water Usage	Agriculture: 24%, Industrial: 20%, Domestic: 15%

Indonesia – 2,019 Cubic Kilometre

Indonesia possesses 6% of the world’s freshwater reserves, receiving an average annual precipitation of 2,702 mm. The country also has significant renewable water sources, but distribution is uneven, leading to mismatches between supply and demand. Water demand is escalating swiftly due to economic and demographic factors, particularly in regions with scarce resources. Numerous groundwater and river basins experience water scarcity, especially during the dry season. Freshwater availability is ample in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Papua, where population density is lower.

Total Renewable Water Resources	Approximately 2,573 cubic kilometers
Per Capita Freshwater Availability	Approximately 9,200 cubic meters
Surface Water Resources	21% of the world’s total
Groundwater Resources	Significant, but precise percentage not readily available
Major Rivers	Kapuas River, Mahakam River, Barito River
Largest Lakes	Lake Toba, Lake Poso, Lake Matano
Water Usage	Agriculture: 88%, Domestic: 8%, Industry: 4%

Peru – 1,913 Cubic Kilometre

Peru possesses 159 river basins, contributing to 4.7% of the world’s yearly renewable water sources. The Amazon Hydrographic Region holds 97% of the nation’s freshwater, accommodating 31% of its population. Nonetheless, water distribution in Peru is uneven, with the coastal zone accessing less than 2% of the country’s fresh water reserves. External water sources enter Peru via tributaries of the Amazon, within the Atlantic river basin, providing 125 billion cubic meters annually. Key rivers include Napo, Tigre, Pastaza, Santiago, Morona, Cenepa, and Chinchipe. According to ANA, the coastal area’s total groundwater availability is estimated to be between 35 and 40 cubic kilometers.

Total Renewable Water Resources	Approximately 2,208 cubic kilometers
Per Capita Freshwater Availability	Approximately 70,000 cubic meters
Surface Water Resources	Significant rivers including the Amazon, Ucayali, and Marañón
Groundwater Resources	Notable aquifers in coastal and mountain regions
Major Rivers	Amazon River, Ucayali River, Marañón River
Largest Lakes	Lake Titicaca, Lake Junín
Water Usage	Agriculture: 85%, Domestic: 10%, Industrial: 5%

India – 1,911 Cubic Kilometre

India is a country blessed with ample water reserves, accounting for 4% of the world’s water resources. However, India is also susceptible to water-related crises such as floods, droughts, and cyclones. Surface water, underground river flow, groundwater, and frozen water are all natural reservoirs of freshwater. Treated wastewater (reclaimed water) and desalinated seawater serve as examples of artificial freshwater sources. This article will delve into our nation’s water assets for the UPSC Examinations. Groundwater stands as the most abundant natural freshwater resource, with India boasting an annual utilizable groundwater resource of 433 bcm. Alluvial aquifers, spanning one-third of India’s landmass, hold half of the country’s renewable groundwater resources.

Total Renewable Water Resources	Approximately 1,911 cubic kilometers
Per Capita Freshwater Availability	Approximately 1,123 cubic meters
Surface Water Resources	4% of the world’s total
Groundwater Resources	85% of drinking water in rural areas, 50% in urban areas
Major Rivers	Ganges, Brahmaputra, Yamuna
Largest Reservoirs	Indira Sagar, Bhakra Dam, Nagarjuna Sagar
Water Usage	Agriculture: 89%, Industrial: 6%, Domestic: 5%

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FAQs – Top 10 Countries with Freshwater Resources

Which country has the most fresh water resources?

Brazil has highest freshwater resources in the world which is accounts for approximately 12% of the world’s freshwater resources. It is just because Amazon region this country contains 70% of the total freshwater.

Where is 90% of the world’s freshwater?

The Antarctic ice sheet holds about 90 percent of the fresh water that exists on the Earth’s surface. The ice sheet covers approximately 8.7 million square miles. The Greenland ice sheet also contains large volumes of fresh water.

Which country holds 20 of the world’s freshwater?

Canada is richly endowed with water. Possessing one of the largest renewable supplies of freshwater in the world, it has access to upwards of 20% of the world’s surface freshwater and 7% of the world’s renewable water flow.

Where is the largest freshwater source in the world?

Located in Russia in the southern region of Siberia, Lake Baikal is the world’s largest freshwater lake by both volume (22995 km3) and depth (1741m). Lake Baikal contains 20% of the world’s fresh surface water. Lake Baikal hides its vast waters under a relatively small surface area (31500 km2).

Which country has cleanest water?

Finland is uniquely rich in surface waters, and ranks amongst the best in the world for its tap water quality. It is not only completely safe but a pleasure to drink, with legislation ensuring that water does not contain substances or organisms that could cause any ill-health.

What is the largest reserve of freshwater on Earth?

The largest reservoir of freshwater on Earth is in glaciers and in polar ice. Just under 3% of all of the water on Earth is freshwater. Of that 3%, three quarters of it are frozen water in glaciers. There are glaciers at and near the North Pole and the South Pole.