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GLOBAL DROUGHT OUTLOOK
Rising economic and human costs from droughts worldwide require effective policies
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The global land area affected by drought has doubled in the last 120 years, and the cost of droughts has risen sharply. A new OECD report assesses how countries can strengthen drought management to adapt to a changing climate.
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Climate change is fuelling more frequent and severe droughts worldwide
The global land area affected by drought has doubled since 1900, with 40% of the planet now experiencing more frequent and intense events. Many of the most extreme droughts on record – including Europe's 2022 drought and the ongoing drought in North America – have occurred in recent decades. Climate change is a key driver of this growing risk, as rising temperatures alter rainfall patterns and accelerate evaporation, reducing freshwater availability. With 4°C of warming, droughts could become up to seven times more frequent and intense compared to pre-industrial times.
To adapt to a changing climate, governments should adapt water management, invest in nature-based and land-use solutions, promote climate-resilient farming practices, and mainstream drought resilience across all sectors and policies.
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