C3 – Total water use in the Republic of Armenia
Key messages
During 2000-2022, the total consumption of freshwater increased more than twice: (in 2000: 1046 m3, in 2022: 2422.3 m3). In 2022, agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 87% of freshwater use.
On average, about 26% of freshwater abstractions are considered to be transit losses. In 2022, losses amounted to 21.1%, with a downward trend.
During 2011-2022, the GDP increased (respectively, in 2011: 27.98 billion USD and in 2022: 44.65 billion USD).
Freshwater use in 2022 Freshwater use per USD 1000 of GDP was 54.3 million m3.
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Figure 1 - Freshwater use in the Republic of Armenia (2011-2022)
Data resources:
(C2) Freshwater abstraction (surface and groundwater) by indicators and years, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
(C3) Water use by NACE and years, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
(C7) Water losses by NACE and years, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
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Figure 2 – Water use by types of economic activity in the Republic of Armenia (2011-2022)
Data resources:
(C3) Water use by NACE and years, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
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Figure 3 – Water use by types of economic activity in the Republic of Armenia (2022)
Data sources:
(C3) Water use by NACE and years, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
Armenia is a country with minimal water demand and seasonal stresses (the water exploitation index was 77% in 2022). Although the balance of renewable freshwater resources does not directly indicate water deficit, high levels of water abstraction and water use in separate years in various sectors of economic activity, particularly in agriculture, exert great pressure on the country's renewable freshwater resources (UNECE, 2000).
On average, 84.9% of total freshwater use falls on agriculture, forestry and fishing, more than 64.2% of agriculture falls on irrigation.
Although a certain increase in water losses was recorded in 2000-2017 (758.9 million m3 in 2000 and 825.4 million m3 in 2017), but in 2018-2022 a decrease in water losses is observed (788 million m3 in 2018 and 649.5 million m3 in 2022).
In 2000, the annual use of freshwater was about 2550 million m3, and in 2022 it decreased to 2422.3 million m3. Large volumes of water abstraction and consumption, especially in the agricultural sector, led to sectoral water stresses and caused environmental problems.
Due to the excessive use of Lake Sevan waters, the lake level decreased by more than 19 m, the volume decreased from 55.8 billion m3 to 38 billion m3, and the surface area of the lake decreased by more than 140 km2 (Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)).
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Figure 4 - Freshwater use per unit of GDP based on purchasing power parity in the Republic of Armenia (2011-2022)
Data resources:
C 3 -Water use by NACE and years, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
Gross Domestic Products, provided by World Bank
Taking into consideration, that all sectors of the economy are highly dependent on water resources, the efficiency of water resources management is very important. Water use in the economy is characterized by its share in the formation of GDP.
Definition of the indicator
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.
Unit of measurement
Water use volumes are measured in million cubic meters (mil. m3), per unit of GDP (in constant 2017 prices, calculated in US dollars, data taken from the World Bank website).
Rationale
Rationale for the selection of the indicator
The indicator characterizes freshwater use, as well as the pressure on renewable water resources and the environment as a whole.
Scientific references:
Environment and Natural Resources in the Republic of Armenia for 2021, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia
Environmental economic accounts, Water Accounts, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
UNECE, 2000. Environmental Performance Review-Armenia. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Committee on Environmental Policy, Environmental Performance Reviews Series No. 10, ISBN 92-1-116775-2, New York.
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.
Context description
National policy context
The Water Code of the Republic of Armenia (adopted on 4 June, 2002) is the main legislative document that defines and regulates the main concepts and relations of water management. The Water Code regulates issues related to the protection, use and management of water resources and systems, as well as defines the principles and forms of private sector involvement.
The National Water Policy of the Republic of Armenia (adopted on 3 May , 2005) is the framework of the strategy for the use and protection of water resources and water systems. The purpose of this law is to ensure the availability of water resources of the quantity, regime and quality necessary for human well-being, the development of the socio-economic system of the republic, and for meeting economic and ecological needs in the present and in the future.
The National Water Program (adopted on 27 November, 2006) regulates the relations related to the definition and implementation of the National Water Program of the Republic of Armenia, including assessments of the national water reserve, strategic water reserve, usable water resources, supply and demand for water, the main problems and prospects for the preservation and development of the water sector, measures for the implementation of the National Water Program, based on the fact that water is limited, is one of the main means for the preservation of human life and health, fauna and flora, and the prerequisites for ensuring its availability.
The purpose of the law is to meet the needs of the population and the economy through the effective management of usable water resources, ensure the ecological stability of the environment, establish and use strategic water resources, protect national water resources, and define measures aimed at solving the problems of the Water Code of the Republic of Armenia and the RA Law "On the Fundamentals of National Water Policy".
International policy context
In 2018, Armenia presented its first Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the UN High-Level Political Forum.
The VNR presents the progress and experience achieved by Armenia so far in the process of nationalization and implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. It also aims to provide and address the political, legal, practical and behavioural benefits, as well as the obstacles and challenges regarding the implementation of the SDGs. Undoubtedly, this process has a cross-sectoral and large-scale nature, and is likely to extend beyond 2030 and will require concerted efforts and commitments at both national and international levels.
Targets
National targets
No specific national target has been identified.
International targets
UN SDG 6, target 6.4 By 2030 to substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable abstraction and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.
Policy-related documents
Republic of Armenia Water Code (adopted on 4 June, 2002).
Republic of Armenia Law on the National Water Programme (adopted on 27 November, 2006).
Republic of Armenia Law on Fundamentals of the National Water Policy (adopted on 3 May, 2005).
SDG Implementation Voluntary National Review – Armenia. United Nations (2018).
Report for the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
Sustainable Development Goals. UN (2016). Sustainable development goals, the sustainable development agenda.
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 industry (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, the data on irrigated areas and average irrigation rates are used.
The average coefficient of water abstraction for irrigated areas and irrigation is widely used when calculating irrigation use.
Methodology references
EEA, 2005. EEA core set of indicators guide. EEA Technical report No 1/2005, ISBN 92-9167-757-4, Luxembourg.
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.
UNSD and UNEP, 2013. Questionnaire 2013 on Environment Statistics. United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme, Questionnaire 2013 on Environment Statistics, Section Water.
Methodological uncertainties
No methodological uncertainty has been specified.
Data uncertainties
From 1990 to 2011, the UNSD Questionnaire on Environment Statistics methodology was used to calculate the indicators, and from 2011, the UNECE Methodology for Environmental Indicators Calculation was used. These cause a large gaps, discrepancies, and incomparability in the time series, particularly in the water supply and irrigation sectors.
Clarification of uncertainties
No uncertainties were identified.
Environment and Natural Resources in the Republic of Armenia for 2021,
Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (Armstat)
Gross Domestic Products provided by World Bank
Environmental economic accounts, Water Accounts ,provided by ArmStatBank
Metadata
Topic: Water
Indicator code: C3
Tags: Water use, water exploitation index, Armenia
Time period: 2011-2022
DPSIR: pressure
Type: descriptive indicator (class A – what is happening to the environment and people)
Publication date/ Last modified: 24/06/2024
Frequency of updates: every year
Contact and responsible
Contact persons: Naira Mandalyan, Gohar Harutyunyan, Ruzanna Safaryan
Responsible: Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
Short-term work
Further development of the system of environmental-economic accounts for the water of the Republic of Armenia.
Long-term work
Development of the ecoportal.