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Türkiye's usable water potential stands at 112 billion cubic meters, which means each person has access to 1,301 cubic meters per year, according to data from the State Hydraulic Works (DSI).
Türkiye has a total land area of 78 million hectares, of which approximately 24 million hectares are arable farmland. Authorities aim to bring 7.85 million hectares of land under irrigation by the end of 2028.
Current storage capacity across the country stands at 183.82 billion cubic meters, with 7.28 million hectares of land already under gross irrigation.
The country has a semi-arid climate, with annual precipitation calculated at 450 billion cubic meters. Rainfall patterns vary by region depending on seasonal and climatic conditions.
Monitoring activities include tracking water levels, weather, sediment, snow, and water quality, as well as natural flow from hydroelectric power plants.
According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), Türkiye's population reached 86,092,168 as of Dec. 31, 2025.
A country is called water-rich if each person has more than 1,700 cubic meters of water per year. In Türkiye, the usable water is 112 billion cubic meters, so each person gets 1,301 cubic meters, which is below the threshold.
Türkiye is projected to face water scarcity in the years ahead, given population growth and the effects of climate change. Officials note the importance of efficient and optimized water use, alongside the development of storage facilities to maximize the value of water resources for multiple purposes.
Work is underway to update master plans for 25 water basins. The goal is to address climate change and make the best use of current infrastructure.
Renovation projects are also being prioritized to reduce water loss in active irrigation systems, address drainage issues affecting soil quality, and expand the use of modern closed pressurized pipe irrigation systems in place of traditional open-channel networks.
Global climate change has caused significant shifts in rainfall amounts and patterns in recent years, affecting the resource-demand balance in ongoing projects.
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