India faces a critical challenge as water supply shortages emerge as the most severe risk confronting the country over the next two years (2025–2027), the World Economic Forum (WEF) warned in a new report released on January 15, 2025.

The 20th edition of the WEF’s annual Global Risks Report identifies India alongside Mexico, Morocco, Tunisia, and Uzbekistan as the five countries where water supply crises rank as the top immediate or short-term risks.

The report highlights that water supply shortages, whether for human, industrial, or ecosystem needs, lead to water insecurity at local, regional, and global levels. These shortages are driven by factors including human overexploitation, mismanagement of critical natural resources, climate change, and insufficient infrastructure.

The number of countries identifying water supply shortages as a top-five risk has surged from seven in 2024 to 27 in 2025, reflecting the growing global crisis and the increasing significance of this issue. In North Africa, Morocco and Tunisia have seen water concerns rise from the third-most severe risk in 2024 to the foremost challenge in 2025.