C3 – Total Water Use

C3 – Total Water Use in the Republic of Armenia

Key Messages

From 2011 to 2024, the minimum volume of freshwater use in Armenia was recorded in 2011, amounting to 1,738.1 million m³, while the maximum volume was recorded in 2024, amounting to 2,582.1 million m³.
In 2024, freshwater use increased by 1.5 times compared to 2011. Meanwhile, the volume of water needed to generate USD 1,000 of GDP decreased by 2 times.
In 2024, water losses accounted for 22% of total water abstraction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1 – Freshwater Use and Water Losses (2011–2024)

Data sources:

From 2011 to 2024, freshwater use in Armenia ranged from 1,738.1 to 2,582.1 million m³, with the maximum volume recorded in 2024. During the same period, water losses ranged from 649.4 to 866.0 million m³, accounting for 21–29% of total water abstraction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 2 – Water Use by NACE and Years (2011–2024)

Data source:

(C3) Water Use by NACE and Years, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)

Figure 3 –  Water Use by NACE, 2024

Data sources:

(C3) Water Use by NACE and Years, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)

From 2011 to 2024, agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted, on average, for 85% of total water use in Armenia, followed by water supply at 7%, mining at 4%, and manufacturing at 1%.
In 2024, compared with 2011, water use in agriculture, forestry and fishing increased by 62%, while water use in mining and manufacturing increased by 32%, and water use in manufacturing increased by 71% and 38%, respectively. The increase in water use during 2011–2024 reflects the expansion of economic activity.
The high share of water use by agriculture, forestry and fishing indicates that irrigation demand has a significant influence on the country's total water demand. Lake Sevan plays a significant role in meeting this demand, as it has an important role in meeting the demand for irrigation water. Therefore, assessing the role of Lake Sevan requires comparing water use by economic sectors with annual water releases from Lake Sevan and actual water discharges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 4 - Freshwater Use and Water Use Per USD 1,000 of GDP (2011-2024)

Data source:

C3 -Water Use by NACE and Years, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)

In 2024, water use increased by 49% compared with 2011, whereas during the same period, water use per USD 1,000 of GDP decreased by 50%, while GDP at purchasing power parity increased by 33%.
This means that the volume of water used to generate one unit of GDP decreased, indicating an improvement in water-use efficiency.

Indicator Definition

The indicator describes the use of freshwater in various sectors of the economy. It characterizes the state of demand for water.
The indicator is presented for the entire country and by economic sectors, per unit of GDP, as well as per value added and generated during the year.

Units of Measurement

Water use: million m³ per year
Water use per USD 1,000 of GDP (PPP): m³/USD 1,000

Rationale

Rationale for Choosing the Indicator

The indicator allows for an assessment of pressure on the environment in terms of freshwater abstraction from various sources.

Scientific References:

Context Description

National Policy Context 

This Code regulates water relations in the field of the use, protection and development of water resources for the purpose of guaranteed, adequate and safe water supply for the population, environmental protection and rational development of the country's water fund.

The Resolution establishes the general requirements for the content of water basin management plans and describes the information they should contain to serve as effective tools for water resources management.

  • Law of the Republic of Armenia N276-Ն (adopted on 14 December 2001) "On Approval of Annual and Comprehensive Programmes of Measures for the Restoration, Conservation, Reproduction and Use of the Lake Sevan Ecosystem"

Defines annual and long-term state programmes of measures for the protection and restoration of Lake Sevan. The Law provides for the sustainable management of the lake's water resources, the maintenance of its water level and ecological condition, as well as the establishment of the maximum annual volume of water releases from Lake Sevan.

International Targets

  • UN SDG 6.4.2 – Level of Water Stress: Freshwater Withdrawal as a Proportion of Available Freshwater Resources

By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable freshwater withdrawal and supply to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.

Methodology for indicator calculation

Units and equations

ID Component Units Equation
C2.3 Freshwater abstracted million m3/year = C 2.3 (see indicator C2)
C3.1 Desalinated water million m3/year  
C3.2 Reused water million m3/year  
C3.3 Imports of water million m3/year  
C3.4 Exports of water million m3/year  
C3.5 Available freshwater million m3/year = C 2.3 + C 3.1 + C 3.2 + C 3.3 + C 3.4
C3.6 Losses of water during transport  million m3/year  
C3.6a Other losses and water not for use million m3/year  
C3.7 Total freshwater use million m3/year = C 3.5 - C 3.6 - C 3.6a;

 

= C3.8 + C3.9 + C3.11 + C3.12 + C3.13
C3.8 Households million m3/year  
C3.9 Agriculture, forestry and fishing (ISIC 01-03) million m3/year  
C3.10 of which used for irrigation in agriculture million m3/year  
C3.11 Manufacturing (ISIC 10-33) million m3/year  
C3.12 Electricity (ISIC 351) million m3/year  
C3.13 Other economic activities million m3/year  
C3.14 GDP at PPP at constant prices (2017) billion international dollars/year  
C3.15 Total freshwater use per unit of GDP m3/1 000 international dollars = C3.7/C3.14

 

Gap-filling methodology

The interpolation method was used for the theoretical assessment of water abstraction by sectors.
When calculating the irrigation water use index, data on irrigated areas and average irrigation rates are used.
The average water abstraction coefficient for irrigated areas and irrigation is widely used in calculating irrigation water use.

Methodology references

  • UNECE, 2018. Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, Data template – C3: Total water use.
  • UNECE, 2018. Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, Description of C3: Total water use.
  • UNECE, 2018. Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, Glossary of terms – C3: Total water use.

Methodological Uncertainties

No methodological uncertainties have been identified.

Aggregate Data Uncertainty

No uncertainties have been identified.