C4 – Household water use per capita in the Republic of Armenia
Key messages
In 2023, household water use per capita in Armenia was 44.8 m3 of water, compared to 48.1 m3 in 2000.
Since 2009, there has been consistent growth in both household water supply and water use per capita, driven by the expansion of the water supply industry in rural areas. As of today, 95.% of Armenia's population is connected to the centralized water supply industry.
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Figure 1 - Development of total freshwater use by households in the Republic of Armenia (2000-2023)
Data sources:
(C4) Household water use per capita by indicators and years, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
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Figure 2 - Development of household water use per capita in the Republic of Armenia (2000-2023)
Data sources:
(C4) Household water use per capita by indicators and years , Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
Armenia is a country with seasonal water stress, with minimum supply of water demand. The average annual renewable freshwater resources (2000-2023) are about 6312.4 million m3, and 2062.2 m3 per capita per year. The water utilization index is more than 47.9%.
Water supplied to households is primarily used for drinking and other domestic needs.
In 2023, the total freshwater use by economic sectors amounted to about 2261․9 million m3, 202.8 million m3 (8.9%) of which was supplied to households.
Annual drinking water consumption decreased in 2000-2009, then increased due to the expansion of the state water supply network in rural areas and improved metering. As a result of this improvement, the total volume of water supplied to households by water supply services increased, reaching 202.8 million m3 in 2023. At the same time, the population decreased by 8.9% from 2000 to 2023.
Although the demand for drinking water in Armenia is primarily met through groundwater resources, water transit losses remain significant.
According to the UNECE Environmental Performance Reviews, in the 2000s, about 80% of pipelines were more than 10 years old, and 55% were more than 20 years old. Their maintenance had been neglected. The number of accidents was steadily increasing.
However, since 2009, as a result of the water management improvement strategy of the Government of the RA, the share of the population connected to the water supply network has increased to 95.5%, with a particular attention paid to rural areas.
Indicator definition
The volume of water used to meet the household and other needs of the population through the water supply industry and self-supply, as well as the volume of water per capita.
Unit of measurement
The volume of water used by households is measured in million cubic meters per year (million m³/year), while per capita usage is measured in cubic meters per year (m³/year) or liters per day (l/day).
Rationale
Rationale for the selection of the indicator
The indicator is important for determining the level of development of water services and the degree of access to water required to meet all the household needs of the population. The indicator also helps to identify trends in drinking water use within the country.
Scientific references
Appendix to the Government Decision N442-Ն, approving the Prospective Development Strategic Programme of the Republic of Armenia for 2014-2025 and repealing Government Decision N1207-Ն of October 30, 2008, adopted on March 27, 2014
Howard, Guy, Bartram, Jamie & World Health Organization. Water, Sanitation and Health Team. (2003). Domestic water quantity, service level and health / Guy Howard and Jamie Bartram. World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/67884.
Environmental Performance Reviews - Armenia. Economic Commission for Europe, Committee on Environmental Policy, United Nations, New York and Geneva, 2000.
UNECE, 2018. Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, Description of C4: Household water use per capita.
UNECE, 2018. Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, Glossary of terms – C4: Household water use per capita.
Context description
National policy context
The Law of the Republic of Armenia on the Fundamentals of National Water Policy aims to meet the basic needs of the population, preserve and utilize renewable water resources, and ensure an adequate water supply to reduce and prevent diseases. The main target is to satisfy the daily and household water requirements of the population.
The Prospective Development Strategic Programme of the Republic of Armenia for 2014-2025 aims to enhance the reliability and efficiency of drinking water supply and sewage systems, reduce water losses, and improve the quality of water supply and wastewater services.
International policy context
UN SDG 6 Goal: By 2030, “ensure access to water and sanitation for all.” SDG 6 Specifically, Target 6.1 aims to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030. Similarly, Target 6.2 seeks to provide access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all, ending open defecation with special attention to the needs of women, girls, and those in vulnerable situations.
Targets
No specific target has been identified.
Related policy documents
Appendix to the Government Decision N442-Ն, approving the Prospective Development Strategic Programme of the Republic of Armenia for 2014-2025 and repealing Government Decision N1207-Ն of 30 October, 2008, adopted on 27 March, 2014
Water Code of the Republic of Armenia (adopted on 4 June, 2002)
The Law of the Republic of Armenia on the National Water Programme (adopted on 27 November, 2006)
The Law of the Republic of Armenia on National Political Provisions of Water (adopted on 3 May, 2005)
Sustainable Development Goals. UN (2016). Sustainable development goals, the sustainable development agenda
Methodology for indicator calculation
Note: Total water use per capita = total water use by households (water supplied to households by water supply industry + water use in the country (self-supply)/total population.
Unit of measurement and equations
| ID | Component | Units | Equation |
| C4.1 | Water supplied to households by water supply industry | million m3/year | |
| C4.2 | Population connected to water supply industry (estimation) | million persons | |
| C4.3 | Water use per capita (water supply industry) | m3/capita/year | = C 4.1/C 4.2 |
| C4.4 | Population not connected to water supply industry (self-supply; estimation) | million persons | = C 4.8 - C 4.2 |
| C4.5 | Estimated water use by households supplied by self-supply per capita | m3/capita/year | |
| C4.6 | Water use in the country (self-supply) | million m3/year | = C 4.4 X C 4.5 |
| C4.7 | Total water use by households | million m3/year | =C 4.1 + C 4.6 |
| C4.8 | Total population | million persons | |
| C4.9 | Total household water use (water supply industry and self-supply) per capita | m3/capita/year | =C 4.7/C 4.8 |
Gap-filling methodology
No methodological gap has been identified.
Methodology references
EEA core set of indicators, Guide․ EEA Technical report No 1/2005, ISSN 1725-2237․
UNECE, 2018. Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, Data template – C4: Household water use per capita.
UNECE, 2018. Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, Description of C4: Household water use per capita.
UNECE, 2018. Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, Glossary of terms – C4: Household water use per capita.
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 uncertainties have been identified.
Data uncertainties
No data uncertainties have been identified.
Clarification of uncertainties
No uncertainties have been identified.
(C4) Household water use per capita by indicators and years , Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (Armstat)
Metadata
Topics: Water
Indicator code: C4
Tags: Water use, water use per capita, Armenia
Time period: 2000-2023
DPSIR: Pressure
Type: Descriptive indicator (class A – what is happening to the environment and people)
Dates: Publication date/ Last modified: 06/03/2025
Frequency of updates: Every year
Contact persons and responsible body
Contact persons: Naira Mandalyan, Gohar Harutyunyan, Ruzanna Safaryan
Responsible: Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
Short-term work
Improve data on self-supply water use.
Long-term work
No long-term work has been identified.