Indicator 6.4.1 Change in water-use efficiency over time

Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity

Indicator 6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time

Change in water use efficiency over time (CWUE): The change in the ratio of the value added to the volume of water use, over time.

Water-use efficiency measured as the ratio of dollar value added to the volume of water used. It considers water use by all economic activities, with a focus on agriculture, industry and the service sectors.

Following the United Nations International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities ISIC 4 coding, sectors are defined as:

1. agriculture; forestry; fishing (ISIC A), hereinafter “agriculture”;
2. mining and quarrying; manufacturing; electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply; constructions (ISIC B, C, D and F), hereinafter “MIMEC”;
3. all the service sectors (ISIC E and ISIC G-T), hereinafter “services”.

Percent change in water-use efficiency over time (%) = (WUE in time t - WUE in time t-1) / (WUE in time t-1) × 100

Data were readily available to report on the series “Water-use efficiency (USD per cubic metre)” as specified by the metadata. Please refer to the sources to access additional information on the metadata or source.