China reports improving water use efficiency in 2025

BEIJING -- China reported continued improvement in its water use efficiency in 2025, according to the water resources bulletin released annually by the Ministry of Water Resources.

Last year, China's water consumption per 10,000 yuan ($1,468) of gross domestic product (GDP) declined 4.5 percent year on year. And water consumption per 10,000 yuan of industrial added value dropped 7.2 percent, the bulletin shows.

In 2025, China's total water resources reached 2.72 trillion cubic meters.

The total water use in 2025 amounted to 594.45 billion cubic meters. Of the total, domestic water use accounted for 15.8 percent at 93.66 billion cubic meters, industrial water use took up 16 percent at 95.37 billion cubic meters and agricultural water use made up 62 percent at 368.38 billion cubic meters.

Compared with 2024, total water use increased by 1.65 billion cubic meters. Specifically, domestic water use rose by 980 million cubic meters, industrial water use decreased by 1.73 billion cubic meters and agricultural water use went up by 3.54 billion cubic meters.

In 2025, the per capita comprehensive water use reached 423 cubic meters and water consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP stood at 42.4 cubic meters. Per capita domestic water consumption stood at 182 liters per day.