AI’s Water Demand by 2030: 1.7 Billion People

These 187 countries’ populations could match AI’s projected annual water use, by 2030.

A world map highlighting 187 countries whose combined populations equal 1.7 billion people, representing AI’s annual water consumption. Data source: World Bank, 2024."

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In 2030 datacenters use as much water annually as the domestic water requirement of 1.7 billion people—equivalent to the populations of these 187 nations (2024 data).

Source: World Bank, UN