21/03/2025 (Agence Europe) – The level of water scarcity is increasing in the EU. In 2022, the water exploitation index (WEI+) was 5.8%, that being an increase of 0.9 percentage points since 2009, according to an article Eurostat published on Friday, 21 March. This is the highest value since data collection began in 2000. However, it is when these values are over 20% that they are a sign of water scarcity and when they are over 40% that they reflect “severe water scarcity”. In Cyprus, for example, a level of 71% revealed unsustainable use of freshwater resources. Eurostat points out that the WEI+ in Cyprus was “already 59.5%” in 2000. Among the EU Member States posting high values in 2022, Eurostat mentioned Malta (34.1%), Romania (21%), Greece (13.8%), Portugal (10.1%), and Spain (8.8%). (FS)