🌾Irrigation in the Middle East in 2025: water, holders, uses and volumes

1. Agriculture, a major consumer of water

In most Middle Eastern countries, approximately 85% of freshwater is used for agriculture. In 2025, nearly 224 km³ of water will still be withdrawn annually for this activity, even though approximately 72 km³ will actually be consumed. (Source: FAO AQUASTAT, 2025)

2. Main water sources (2025)

a. Tigris–Euphrates Rivers

The Euphrates and Tigris remain vital to Syria and Iraq. Approximately 90% of the Euphrates' flow comes from Turkey. Iraq still receives over 60 km³ per year from these two rivers. (Source: UN-ESCWA, 2025)

b. Underground reservoirs

In Iran, 96 billion cubic meters of water are extracted annually, more than 90% of which is used for agriculture. The use of traditional qanats continues, particularly in rural areas. (Source: Ministry of Energy of Iran, 2025)

c. Desalination

The Gulf countries produce approximately 40% of the world's desalinated water. Saudi Arabia still relies on it for more than half of its drinking water. (Source: Global Water Intelligence, 2025)

d. Treated water

Jordan recycles approximately 98% of its wastewater, particularly in the Jordan Valley. (Source: Jordan Water Sector, 2025)

3. Distribution and control (2025)

Countries / Regions	Main source
Türkiye	Upper Tigris & Euphrates
Iran	Inland rivers, fossil aquifers
Saudi Arabia	Desalination + fossil aquifers
Egypt	Nile (≈ 55 BCM/year, including 46 BCM for agriculture)
Jordan	Mix of recycled water, rivers, aquifers
Israel	Desalination, recycled wastewater, coastal aquifers
Rojava (Syria)	Euphrates (reduced flow), boreholes, limited local waters

4. Volumes of water used in 2025

• Saudi Arabia : Urban consumption ≈ 235 L/day/person. Agriculture ≈ 20 BCM/year. (Source: Saudi Ministry of Water, 2025)

  
  

• Egypt : ≈ 46 BCM/year for ≈ 33,600 km² of irrigated areas. (Source: Egyptian Ministry of Irrigation, 2025)

  
  

• Iraq : Annual use of approximately 51 BCM. (Source: Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources, 2025)

  
  

• Iran : still around 96 BCM/year, of which more than 90% is for agriculture. (Source: Ministry of Energy of Iran, 2025)

  
  

• Israel : Approximately 2.4 BCM/year consumed, with over 90% of wastewater recycled and the majority of drinking water from desalination. (Source: Israeli Water Authority, 2025)

  
  

• Autonomous Region of Rojava (Northeast Syria) :

• It depends largely on irrigation from drilling into groundwater, which is sometimes depleted.

• Water supplies are severely affected by Turkish restrictions on the flow of the Euphrates, reducing the flow by almost 60% compared to past agreements.

• Gradual deployment of localized irrigation systems, but insufficient in the face of repeated droughts.

• Increasing pollution around Qamishli and Til Berak, as well as regular power cuts limiting pumping. (Sources: Rojava Information Center, UN-OCHA Syria, 2025)

  
  

5. Current challenges (2025)

• The Middle East remains the most water-stressed region in the world (less than 500 m³/year per capita).

  
  

• The overexploitation of fossil aquifers continues.

  
  

• River flows are decreasing due to dams, climate and upstream uses.

  
  

• Massive water loss via evaporation in gravity irrigation.

  
  

• Innovative responses: solar desalination, drip irrigation, reuse, agricultural IoT sensors. (Cross-referenced sources: UN-Water, WRI, FAO, 2025)

  
  

Conclusion

In 2025, despite some technological advances, water remains a vital and fragile issue in the Middle East. The challenges are growing, and only a combination of agricultural innovation, cross-border cooperation, and water efficiency will ensure the sustainability of agriculture in the region.

💬 My personal opinion

It is clear that irrigation in the Middle East is, overall, poorly managed in the region. But it would be unfair to blame only governments or the people who live there. In some areas, it is a lack of economic resources, a lack of access to modern technology, and, above all, the devastating consequences of past and current wars that prevent good water management. These are not always choices, but often imposed circumstances. Understanding this also means recognizing the human and geopolitical complexity of the region.

Main sources: FAO AQUASTAT 2025, UN-Water, Global Water Intelligence, WRI, national ministries (Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Israel).