As for water consumption, in both Europe and North America the lead is taken by agriculture which consumes more that 70% of total water consumption.

In Asia, Africa and South America, it is agriculture again which plays the leading role in the pattern of water use. In 1995 irrigation took 60-82% of total water withdrawal and accounted for 64-92% of total water consumption. These indices will also change slightly by 2025 although by that time industrial water consumption is expected to grow two or three times in these three continents. Nevertheless, the fraction of industry concerned in total water withdrawal is not expected to be above 20% in South America, 13% in Asia and 6% in Africa. The characteristic feature in the structure of water use in Africa is the dominance of evaporation from reservoirs. At present, and also in the future, it amounts to some 33-35% of the total water consumption in that continent.

The dynamics of growth in water use up to 2025 differ considerably by region. In developed countries and in those countries with limited water resources, water withdrawal is expected to rise by 15-35%. In developing country regions with sufficient water resources, the water withdrawal growth could be 200-300%.