Greece has been ranked 19th in the world for water scarcity risk, according to new data from the World Resources Institute and a national-level report by Deloitte conducted for the Greek government.
The reports point to a dramatic reduction in rainfall and a simultaneous spike in water demand, especially for irrigation and public use. Between 2001 and 2022, water withdrawals rose by 139%, a rise attributed not only to increased consumption but also to booming tourism and high water losses from distribution networks which are estimated at up to 50%.
The problem is especially acute in popular Greek tourist destinations like the Cyclades, where summer consumption peaks while natural water availability remains limited.
At the same time, Greece uses more water per hectare of irrigated land than any other EU country, significantly exceeding even other Mediterranean nations with similar climate profiles. Despite a decline in agricultural holdings in recent years, irrigation-related water use has not decreased—largely due to outdated irrigation systems (many over 20 years old), rising temperatures, and a shift toward more water-intensive crops.
The Deloitte report further reveals a shift in water sourcing: from 2000 to 2022, groundwater abstraction increased by 80% from 3.453 cubic meters (0.9122 billion gallons) to 6.221 million cubic meters (1.643 billion gallons) per year. In the same time period, the use of surface water fell by 40% from 6.471 cubic meters (1.709 billion gallons) to 3.852 cubic meters (1.018 billion gallons). This shift from surface water to groundwater use places significant pressure on aquifers and increases the possibility of saltwater intrusion, especially in areas dependent on boreholes for groundwater.
Moreover, water reserves in Greece’s hydropower reservoirs, used both for irrigation and electricity, have fallen to historic lows, despite recent rainfall these past few months. This poses a dual threat to Greece’s water and energy security.