Industrial water as a share of total water withdrawals in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Industrial water as a share of total water withdrawals was 12.0% in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Industrial water as a share of total water withdrawals in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2000–2022
Source: AQUASTAT - FAO's Global Information System on Water and Agriculture, FAO, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of total freshwater withdrawal.
Analysis
The most recent figure for industrial water as a share of total water withdrawals in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is 12.0%, measured in 2022.
The figure is down 12.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, industrial water as a share of total water withdrawals in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 44.2% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 8.8%, in 2011.
That places United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 73rd out of 179 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Industrial water as a share of total water withdrawals in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year
| Year | % of total freshwater withdrawal | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 44.2% | — |
| 2001 | 41.2% | -6.7% |
| 2002 | 38.1% | -7.4% |
| 2003 | 34.6% | -9.3% |
| 2004 | 29.3% | -15.2% |
| 2005 | 24.3% | -17.2% |
| 2006 | 12.0% | -50.6% |
| 2007 | 14.0% | +17.0% |
| 2008 | 13.4% | -4.2% |
| 2009 | 15.4% | +14.8% |
| 2010 | 11.1% | -28.2% |
| 2011 | 8.8% | -21.0% |
| 2012 | 13.7% | +56.1% |
| 2013 | 13.0% | -4.5% |
| 2014 | 11.9% | -8.4% |
| 2015 | 11.5% | -3.7% |
| 2016 | 12.0% | +4.3% |
| 2017 | 12.0% | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 12.0% | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 12.0% | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 12.0% | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 12.0% | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 12.0% | +0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 26.6% | 12.0% | 44.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 11.8% | 8.8% | 13.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 12.0% | 12.0% | 12.0% | 3 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
More environment data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -3.13 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -7.25 Percentage change (2025)
- Exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 2.35 Percentage change (2024)
- Exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 1.22 Percentage change (2024)
- Heating Degree Days 5,420 (2024)
- Cooling Degree Days 28.37 (2024)
- Total fisheries production 981,329 metric tons (2024)
- Capture fisheries production 755,323 metric tons (2024)
- Aquaculture production 226,006 metric tons (2024)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Waste 2.03 Mt CO2e (2024)
All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →
Frequently asked questions
- What is industrial water as a share of total water withdrawals in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Industrial water as a share of total water withdrawals in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 12.0% in 2022, according to AQUASTAT - FAO's Global Information System on Water and Agriculture, FAO, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest industrial water as a share of total water withdrawals recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 44.2% in 2000.
- What is the lowest industrial water as a share of total water withdrawals recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.8% in 2011.
- How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for industrial water as a share of total water withdrawals?
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 73rd out of 179 countries with data for 2022.
- Is industrial water as a share of total water withdrawals rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from AQUASTAT - FAO's Global Information System on Water and Agriculture, FAO, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Industrial water as a share of total water withdrawals. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Industrial water withdrawals as a percentage of total water withdrawals (which is the sum of water used for agriculture, industry, and municipal purposes).