The crisis of water scarcity in South Asia has reached alarming levels, with an estimated 347 million children under the age of 18 exposed to high or extremely high water stress, the highest number of any region in the world.
According to a new UNICEF analysis, this scarcity directly impacts children’s health, education and overall well-being. Malnutrition, waterborne diseases, and the added economic burden on families often result in children being forced into labor, further disrupting their futures.
Climate change is exacerbating the problem, as unpredictable weather patterns, prolonged droughts, and increased water demand strain already limited water resources.
The region, home to more than a quarter of the world’s children, only has access to 4% of the world’s renewable water, making it particularly vulnerable. With the Indo-Gangetic Basin—the world’s most over-exploited aquifer—under severe stress, groundwater depletion and poor water quality have become major concerns.
Furthermore, climate change worsens water scarcity by disrupting rainfall patterns and depleting groundwater, which is increasingly relied upon due to the lack of surface water.
UNICEF’s analysis highlights that 45 million children in South Asia lacked access to basic drinking water services in 2022, and 169 million children were exposed to extreme water vulnerability. The situation is dire, with climate change projections indicating worsening conditions.
UNICEF offers a path forward, urging governments and partners to improve water resource management, invest in climate-resilient water infrastructure, and promote better storage solutions like rainwater harvesting.
At the global level, UNICEF is calling for more child-responsive climate finance, as only a tiny fraction of climate funding is currently directed at children.
With children already bearing the brunt of climate impacts—such as diseases, pollution, and heatwaves—UNICEF is pushing for stronger commitments from world leaders at COP28 to prioritize children in climate action. Failure to act, the organization warns, will further jeopardize the future of children in South Asia and around the world.
South Asia Politics 