$7.55 billion: The bottled water market in the Gulf countries
The volume of the bottled water market in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries reached approximately $7.55 billion in 2024, maintaining an annual growth rate of 11%, driven by increased demand for bottled water, rising health awareness, and expanded investments in this sector.
Data from the Gulf Cooperation Council Statistical Center indicated that in the field of water resource management, the volume of collected treated wastewater rose by 98.4% in 2024, reflecting the progress made by GCC countries in water reuse and supporting circular economy applications, thereby contributing to water resource conservation and enhanced environmental sustainability.
Additionally, desalinated water production in GCC countries increased by 4.8% compared to 2023, underscoring the continued reliance on desalination technologies as one of the most critical strategic sources to meet growing water demand, particularly given the scarcity of natural water resources.
Conversely, the annual rate of groundwater extraction declined by 3% over the past nine years, coinciding with an increase in the share of renewable water to 25.5% in 2024, reflecting a regional shift toward sustainable water resource management and reduced pressure on groundwater reserves.
Regarding natural resources, rainfall rates in GCC countries increased by 43.8% in 2024 compared to the long-term average for the period 1980–2009, creating opportunities to enhance water security through expanded rainwater harvesting projects, groundwater recharge initiatives, and greater utilization of traditional water resources.
Collectively, these indicators confirm the GCC countries’ continued adoption of integrated water management policies focused on diversifying supply sources, promoting reuse, developing desalination technologies, and preserving natural resources, all of which support the achievement of sustainable development goals and strengthen the region’s capacity to address water scarcity challenges.
