Global Water Bankruptcy Only Solved by Stabilising Population: SPA
The Global Water Bankruptcy report, published on Jan. 20, 2026, indicated that global human demand for freshwater has exceeded the volume that nature can reliably replace, resulting in worldwide water insecurity for billions of people.
Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) argues that population growth drives expanding water demand. Australia is also at risk of chronic water shortages while population growth continues, as detailed in the SPA commissioned report: Big thirsty Australia: how population growth threatens our water security and sustainability
SPA experts are available for further comment
Peter Strachan: National President – Sustainable Population Australia.
Quotes attributable to Mr Strachan:
“In an article from The Conversation, the author of this UN Report concludes ‘that the impact of overpopulation and consequent overconsumption has left many regions unable to bounce back from frequent water shortages’. It is a shame, then, that none of their proposed solutions include addressing global population.”
“Water is critical for survival, however like many other earth resources, it is rapidly diminished by demands of an ever-growing human population. There is no ‘substitute’ for fresh water. If global demand exceeds global supply, this is an existential emergency.”
“The best solution we have is to stabilise and slowly reduce global population through providing equitable access to family planning and reproductive healthcare. Unfortunately, the world appears to be heading in the opposite direction. For example, the US has withdrawn funding for overseas aid, with reproductive healthcare disproportionately targeted.
Michael Bayliss: Communication Manager and Spokesperson – Sustainable Population Australia.
Quote Attributable to Michael Bayliss
“Australia achieved water bankruptcy at the turn of the century (around 2000), when our diminishing rainfed water supplies no longer satisfied the demands of a growing population. Since then, Australia is precariously becoming more reliant on desalination.”
“The Murray-Darling River Basin has been recently recognised as critically endangered. This lifeblood for Australia’s agriculture is compromised through a combination of a drying trend in Southern Australia in addition to increasing demands exacerbated by unprecedented population growth.”
“Household water demand due to population growth is outstripping improvements in Australians’ efficiency of household water use. That means we must keep increasing costly desalination.”
“SPA’s 2024 report concluded that stabilising Australia’s population size is by far the cheapest, simplest, greenest and safest way to guarantee Australia’s water security. The alternative of ongoing population growth would mean much higher water bills and greater energy requirements for desalination.”