IMPACT OF WATER SHORTAGES ON DEVELOPING

COUNTRIES
 Abstract

Water shortage in many developing nations is still a major issue hindering that country's

socio-economic growth. This study intended to explore the complex effect of water scarcity

on developing countries, looking at both long and short-term effects. This study offers

important insight into the complex relationships between water availability and development

in these areas by undertaking an insightful investigation of the cause, impact and potential

solutions to mitigate the issue of water shortage. In order to give thorough insights, this study

examines the effect of water shortage on developing countries by consulting pertinent

literature and gathering original data. Peer-reviewed journals, research papers and articles

will be used in this research to understand the key areas of the research that need to focus on

to make successful research work. This study's approach combines a thorough literature

analysis with acquiring primary data. In order to capture the range of viewpoints on water

shortages, a survey will be performed to collect demographic data from participants,

including age, gender, and educational background. Participants' individual experiences, the

frequency of water shortages, and their views on the causes and effects of the issue will also

be investigated in topic-oriented survey questions. Overall, this study will light the complex

effect of water scarcity in developing countries, which will be beneficial to highlight the

necessity of integrating strategies to address water constraints and advance sustainable

development.

2
 Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 4

Literature review ........................................................................................................................ 5

Water shortages on a global scale in developing countries.................................................... 5

Effects of water shortage in developing countries ................................................................. 6

Theoretical Framework .......................................................................................................... 7

Literature gap ......................................................................................................................... 8

Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 8

Results ........................................................................................................................................ 9

Discussion ................................................................................................................................ 16

Recommendations & Conclusion ............................................................................................ 17

Reference List .......................................................................................................................... 19

Appendix .................................................................................................................................. 22

3
Introduction

Water scarcity or shortage is a major issue in today's world, and it is quite significant in

developing countries. Only 18.4 % of the world’s renewable freshwater resources are being

used in developing countries. However, certain areas in the region already have major

problems. Significant water stress levels are seen in North Africa, and it is also clear that

Asia's central and southern region is also at a high risk of water shortage (Armstrong, 2023).

This research wills emphasis on examining the impact of water shortage on developing

countries which is essential for sustainable development from the present global point of

view. The study examines the factors contributing to water shortage in developing countries

and its effect and potential remedies. In order to provide valuable insight into the topic, this

study combines direct data collecting with a survey which is quite significant for this study.

Figure 1: Risk of water scarcity around the world

4
 (Source: Armstrong, 2023)

Literature review

Water shortages on a global scale in developing countries

Water shortage is one of the global phenomena that existed for many years. Water is a basic

need that helps to sustain the livelihood of people. As per the UNDP, water covers 70% of

the world, but this huge amount of available water is not for human consumption. On the

other hand, only 25% of available water consider fresh water and appropriate for human

consumption. In the globalization era, the world population is rapidly increasing, and this

situation requires more water to maintain the people's basic needs. Due to the increasing

population, the demand as per the world health organization, nearly 785 million people are

facing a lack of access to drinking water sources (World Health Organization, 2019). Due to

water-related issues, many people are dying every year. Water scarcity is getting a more

challenging issue in the twenty-first century. In developing countries, unsustainable

consumption of water creates a high water crisis.

Most of the freshwater on the earth's surface is stored in the form of groundwater and as

glaciers. Due to global warming and climate change, the glaciers are melting fast, and

freshwater is getting lost (Strickland Jr, 2021). As a result, the freshwater is mixed with the

saline water that is not consumable for humans. As per several reports, the slain water level is

increasing day by day, and this is significantly threatening to the global population. In

addition, the groundwater level of freshwater decreases due to the low rainfall and

unsustainable use of the groundwater by humans. According to Hssaisoune et al. (2020), the

global freshwater demand will exceed 40% in the year 2030. The water shortage issue

influences food security because, in developing countries, many people depend on

agriculture.

5
 Figure 2: Global water uses by countries

(Source: water calculator, 2023)

Effects of water shortage in developing countries

Water-stage refers to limited access to fresh water for drinking and other necessary activities.

There are many significant impacts established due to water scarcity. Lack of the drinking

water is one of the biggest problems of water scarcity (Nabi et al. 2019). It is difficult for the

human to survive without water. Due to the lack of clean water access there, people, mostly

children, suffer from several diseases. Water is most important for doing several tasks in our

daily life, but water shortage highly increases sanitation issues (Chowdhary et al. 2020).

People and all living things need water to survive, but water scarcity can create a cause of

serious biodiversity loss. In developing countries, a large potation of the country’s economy

is dependent on agriculture, but due to the water shortage issue, agriculture gets hampered,

and this may cause Hunger in that country (Rosa et al. 2020). On the other hand, water

shortage can create challenges for manufacturing, mining, and energy production, and this

highly hampers industrial development and cess the economic growth of developing

countries. However, disruption of the production process can affect job creation in the

country. Water creates sustainability in the environment, but a shortage of water is highly

6
associated with environmental degradation (Quiñones et al., 2019). Most of developing

countries, women and girls are primarily responsible for collecting water from various

sources, but water shortage can require a lot of time and effort, which directly increases the

gender inequality problem in those countries.

Theoretical Framework

“The Resource Curse Theory” is a popular try that refers to the paradoxical situation of

countries that underperform in natural resources. Implementing this theory can help the

countries develop their natural resources and mitigate the issues related to the resources

(Guan et al. 2020). In the modern world, natural resources such as water shortage greatly

impact the world and its people. A resource curse happens due to the country’s labour forces

and capital concerned, which depend on a few resources. According to this theory

diversifying the country’s economy can help to avoid the resource curse. Fresh water is a

limited resource, and the increasing population and their demand for water create a situation

of shortage of natural resources. Shortage of fresh water also affected the economic

development of countries. The country should focus on its natural resources and the

implementation of “The Resource Curse Theory,” which can be highly effective for

understanding the cause and help improve the situation.

Figure 3: Resource Curse theory

7
 (Source: Influenced by)

Literature gap

The present research study examines the impact of water shortage on developing countries

which is essential for sustainable development from the present global point of view. In

addition, this study also describes the global water shortage scenario. Also, it evaluates the

impact, “The Resource Curse Theory”, developing countries. Still, this research study should

focus more on the cause of the water shortage problem in developing countries. The present

research study should also focus more on the mitigation plan for the water shortage problem.

Methodology

The research methodology is an integrated part of the research study that incorporates with

designing the research work and structuring the main data collection and analysis procedure.

As it provides an in-detail research design, it is important for the research study to select the

required aspects before starting the research (Al-Ababneh, 2020). In order to gather primary

data for this study, a survey approach was selected. Students engaged in the ONCAMPAS

program, including all the classmates, made up the target group of this study. For conducting

the survey, a maximum of 20 participants were chosen as the sample size to ensure viability

and manageability within the specified parameters. Convenience sampling is used to choose

the sample, and those who were accessible and willing to participate in the study were

included. The survey was concocted face-to-face and by telephone, which allowed taking

more insightful replies and clarification from the respondents.

The survey's primary purpose was to learn about the respondents' individual experiences with

water shortages. In addition to these viewpoints, respondents will also be collected to

understand the causes and effects of water shortage in developing countries. In the survey

procedure, 3 demographic and 6 topic-related questions are developed to test individual

participants' viewpoints, making this research more reliable and authentic to meet its primary

8
objectives. All the responses of individual respondents were collected with the help of

Google Forms, which is a convenient and reliable tool for collecting data and evaluating its

significance in the current research study. Descriptive statistics, pie charts and info graphics

are also used to evaluate the collected data, which helps to understand the research problems

more significantly. The key findings of this study will be put to use to help the students at

ONCAMPUS understand how water shortage affects developing countries in the present

time. The results of this study will also give further knowledge of the subject as a whole and

might point out problems that are frequently encountered and that require more attention in

future studies. The findings can also be used to guide debates and projects within the

ONCAMPUS community that address the issue of water shortage in developing nations.

Results

Question 1

Question 2

9
From the collected data set, it is observed that around 55% of respondents are in the age

group of 20 to 23, and 30% are between the age group of 18 to 20 years, which signifies that

the young generations are taking part in this research. This indicates the youths are more

conscious of the implication of water shortage and its impact in developing countries. This

survey also shows that female respondents are also significant in number, which is a good

sign that female individuals are concerned about the water shortage issues in developing

countries. It can enhance awareness at the grassroots level more conveniently.

Question 3

10
The education level of an individual is also an important factor that significantly impacts

increasing awareness about environmental issues. The respective survey shows that 40% of

students are in the final year of their respective courses, and 45% of 20 respondents are in the

second year, which signifies that the students of all years are taking part in this survey as they

think it is a crucial issue that needs to be addressed to improve quality of life of the people

who are in developing countries.

Question 4

According to a study of the data, an overwhelming majority of the participants (75%) agree

or strongly agree that a lack of water significantly impacts economic growth in developing

nations. This outcome is consistent with other research that emphasises how important water

accessibility is for economic development. The high percentage that agrees indicates that

participants generally agree on the negative effects of water shortage on economic growth.

The vast majority of respondents believe that tackling water shortages is essential for

promoting sustainable economic development in developing nations, with just a tiny

percentage of respondents responding in a neutral or disagreeing manner.

Question 5

11
According to an examination of the data, most respondents (55%) and a sizeable portion

(35%) strongly agree that everyone should have appropriate access to clean water as a basic

human right, regardless of their country's level of development. This information is consistent

with the body of knowledge and the general understanding of the world that access to clean

water is a basic human right. The high agreement rate suggests that participants generally

think this right should be available to everyone. These results highlight the need to prioritise

regulations, actions, and distribution of resources to guarantee everyone has access to clean

water, particularly in countries with lower incomes where the demand is frequently greater

than in developed countries.

Question 6

12
As per the interpretation of data, a sizable majority of respondents (55% agree and 40%

strongly agree) think that government policies and legislation are essential for addressing and

lowering the problem of water scarcity in developing nations. This result is consistent with

other studies emphasising the critical function of strong governance in addressing water

constraints. The large number of participants who agreed with the statement demonstrates

that the significance of legislative and policy frameworks in tackling the problems brought on

by water scarcity is widely acknowledged by the participants. These results emphasise the

necessity for governments in developing nations to prioritise and put in place strong policies

that support sustainable water management, encourage water conservation practices, and

guarantee equal access to water resources.

Question 7

13
The results of the data analysis show that there is a substantial agreement among the

participants, with 35% accepting and a considerable majority of 65% recognising that

international collaboration and aid are essential for addressing the problem of water scarcity

in poor nations. This result is consistent with other studies emphasising the need for

international cooperation and help in managing the water shortage. The significant majority

of strongly agreed points out the vital role that global collaboration and aid play in supplying

financial resources, technical know-how, and information transfer to help sustainable water

management practices in developing nations.

Question 8

14
According to the evaluation of the data, there is a substantial proportion of participants (75%)

strongly agree that raising investments in environmentally friendly water conservation

practices can help reduce the problem of water scarcity and advance long-term growth in

developing nations. Only 15% of the participants disagreed with this statement. The fragile

percentages of opposing and indifferent replies suggest that there is a minority with different

perspectives or who needs more information.

Question 9

15
Based on an investigation into the data, a significant number of the respondents (25 percent

agree, and 50 percent strongly agree) think that raising public awareness at the local level is

essential to addressing the problem of water shortage in developing nations. This result is

consistent with other studies emphasizing the value of educating the public and involving

local communities in water management programs. These findings highlight the need for

focused educational initiatives and community engagement to promote sustainable water

practices and address local water scarcity issues in developing nations.

Discussion

The evaluation of the findings shows some crucial insights into the effects of water scarcity

on developing nations. It describes the perception of participants to suggest remedies to

reduce water shortage in developing countries. Let's look more closely at these results and

consider what they mean from the present global point of view. At first, it is clear from the

statistics that a considerable number of participants agree or strongly agree that the scarcity of

water has an enormous effect on the economic growth of developing nations (Nguyen et al.,

2019). This is consistent with recent research, which repeatedly emphasises the negative

effects of water shortage on economic growth. The high rate of support indicates that

participants generally recognise the critical relationship between access to water and

sustainable economic growth.

Furthermore, the findings show that a large proportion of respondents feel that everyone

should have appropriate access to clean water as a basic human right, regardless of their

country's level of development. This result confirms the wide recognition that access to clean

water is a basic human need, and every country has to ensure this by making various strategic

decisions (Dinar et al., 2019). Also strongly endorsed by the participants was the role that

laws and regulations from the government should play in addressing and minimising the issue

of water scarcity in developing nations. This aligns with studies showing how important good

16
governance is to addressing the water shortage. Most of the participants who agreed with the

statement demonstrate that they understand the need for strong regulations and laws that

support fair access to water resources, encourage conservation methods, and advance

sustainable water management.

The findings also show that participants had a strong conviction that higher expenditures in

environmentally friendly water conservation practices may assist in alleviating the problem

of water scarcity and advance sustainable growth in developing nations. The significant

number of people who strongly agree illustrates the understanding of the beneficial effects

that increasing investment in sustainable practices may have on managing water shortages

and promoting sustainable growth. Apart from this, improving public knowledge is essential,

according to a significant number of respondents who agreed or strongly agreed (Tzanakakis

et al., 2020). This conclusion is consistent with studies that highlight the value of community

engagement and education in fostering sustainable water practices.

In order to improve water management practices at the local level, the results indicate the

necessity for focused educational campaigns, community involvement, and capacity-building

activities (Elfithri et al., 2019). Overall, the analysis of the findings offers insightful

information into participants' perspectives and beliefs on the effects of water scarcity on

developing nations and potential remedies. In order to assure equal access to safe water and

promote sustainable growth in these areas, addressing water shortage requires a holistic

approach that includes strong administration, global cooperation, monetary help, and

community involvement.

Recommendations & Conclusion

Water shortage is the most significant issue in the global world, and many developing

countries face this issue highly. This issue is rapidly increasing and creates high challenges.

Countries should implement several plans that can help to mitigate the issue successfully.

17
Sufficient and sustainable water infrastructure can help to reduce the water shortage problem

(Garrick et al. 2020). Limited use of water is an essential step food minimizing water

shortage. Countries should be organized awareness programs to increase the positive

approach to reducing the water shortage problem. Implementation of innovative technology

for water conservation will be highly effective for controlling the situation properly.

Improvement of the farming practice is also effective in mitigating this issue (Kumawat et al.

2020). In conclusion, this research study critically analyses the impact of the water shortage

problem faced by developing countries. In order to conduct the survey procedure, a

maximum of 20 participants were chosen as the sample size in order to ensure viability and

manageability within the specified parameters. This survey shows that water shortage is one

of the great problems in the world, and most people highly agree with this. Effective strategic

plans taken by the countries can help to reduce the problem significantly. Cooperation and

collaboration are also helpful for the countries to control the situation.

18
Reference List

Al-Ababneh, M.M., 2020. Linking ontology, epistemology and research methodology.

Science & Philosophy, 8(1), pp.75-91.

Armstrong., M, 2023., Where Water Stress Will Be Highest by 2040., Available at:

[Link] [Accessed On: 19th

May, 2023] [Online]

Chowdhary, P., Bharagava, R.N., Mishra, S. and Khan, N., 2020. Role of industries in water

scarcity and its adverse effects on environment and human health. Environmental Concerns

and Sustainable Development: Volume 1: Air, Water and Energy Resources, pp.235-256.

Dinar, A., Tieu, A. and Huynh, H., 2019. Water scarcity impacts on global food production.

Global Food Security, 23, pp.212-226.

Elfithri, R., Mokhtar, M.B. and Zakaria, S., 2019. The need for awareness raising, advocacy,

and capacity building in Integrated Water Resources Management toward sustainable

development: A case study in Malaysia. World Water Policy, 5(1), pp.43-54.

Garrick, D., Iseman, T., Gilson, G., Brozovic, N., O'Donnell, E., Matthews, N., Miralles-

Wilhelm, F., Wight, C. and Young, W., 2020. Scalable solutions to freshwater scarcity:

Advancing theories of change to incentivise sustainable water use. Water Security, 9,

p.100055.

Guan, J., Kirikkaleli, D., Bibi, A. and Zhang, W., 2020. Natural resources rents nexus with

financial development in the presence of globalization: is the “resource curse” exist or myth?.

Resources Policy, 66, p.101641.

19
Hssaisoune, M., Bouchaou, L., Sifeddine, A., Bouimetarhan, I. and Chehbouni, A., 2020.

Moroccan groundwater resources and evolution with global climate changes. Geosciences,

10(2), p.81.

Kumawat, A., Yadav, D., Samadharmam, K. and Rashmi, I., 2020. Soil and water

conservation measures for agricultural sustainability. Soil moisture importance, 23.

Nabi, G., Ali, M., Khan, S. and Kumar, S., 2019. The crisis of water shortage and pollution in

Pakistan: Risk to public health, biodiversity, and ecosystem. Environmental science and

pollution research, 26, pp.10443-10445.

Nguyen, T.T., Ngo, H.H., Guo, W., Wang, X.C., Ren, N., Li, G., Ding, J. and Liang, H.,

2019. Implementation of a specific urban water management-Sponge City. Science of the

Total Environment, 652, pp.147-162.

Quiñones, R.A., Fuentes, M., Montes, R.M., Soto, D. and León‐Muñoz, J., 2019.

Environmental issues in Chilean salmon farming: a review. Reviews in Aquaculture, 11(2),

pp.375-402.

Rosa, L., Chiarelli, D.D., Rulli, M.C., Dell’Angelo, J. and D’Odorico, P., 2020. Global

agricultural economic water scarcity. Science Advances, 6(18), p.eaaz6031.

Strickland Jr, J.K., 2021. Global Warming in Perspective Understanding Climate Change in a

World of Contradictory Information. Online Journal of Space Communication, 9(16), p.3.

Tzanakakis, V.A., Paranychianakis, N.V. and Angelakis, A.N., 2020. Water supply and water

scarcity. Water, 12(9), p.2347.

20
Water calculator, 2023. Global water uses by countries. Available at:

[Link] [Accessed on, 19th

May, 2023]

World Health Organization, 2019. Water, sanitation, hygiene and health: a primer for health

professionals (No. WHO/CED/PHE/WSH/19.149). World Health Organization.

21
Appendix

Survey questions

Demographic questions

1. What is your age?

16-18

18-20

20-23

2. What is your gender?

Male

Female

Prefer not to say

3. What is your educational qualification?

First year

Second year

Third year

Topic oriented questions

4. Water shortage has a significant effect on economic development in developing countries.

Agree

22
Strongly Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly disagree

5. Adequate access to clean water is a basic human right all individuals should have

regardless of their countries' development status.

Agree

Strongly Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly disagree

6. Government policies and laws are crucial in addressing and reducing the water shortage

problem in developing countries.

Agree

Strongly Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly disagree

23
7. International cooperation and aids are crucial for reducing the water shortage problem in

developing countries.

Agree

Strongly Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly disagree

8. Increasing investments in sustainable water management practices can help to reduce the

water shortage problem and promote long-term development in developing countries.

Agree

Strongly Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly disagree

9. Grass-root level awareness is needed to water in developing countries.

Agree

Strongly Agree

Neutral

24
Disagree

Strongly disagree

25