A United Nations report declares the world has entered an era of global water bankruptcy, stating many regions are living beyond their hydrological means. The report defines this as a state where systems can no longer satisfy water claims without inflicting irreversible damage to nature.

Four billion people face severe water scarcity annually, with 75% living in water-insecure countries. Hotspots include the Middle East, where Tehran nearly ran dry, and South Asia, where groundwater depletion threatens agriculture and global food supply. The American Southwest also faces significant stress.

The report calls for formal recognition of water bankruptcy in climate and finance negotiations. It urges transforming agriculture through crop shifts and better monitoring, moving from crisis management to long-term recovery. Experts stress the need for political will to live within new hydrological limits.