Although nearly three-quarters of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, only a tiny fraction of it, about 3%, is freshwater. Even more surprising, just 1% of that is actually available for human use. Amid this global imbalance, Indonesia stands out as the seventh-richest nation in the world for freshwater resources.
Freshwater scarcity has long been one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Most of Earth’s freshwater is locked away in glaciers and ice caps or trapped deep underground, making it difficult to access. The small portion that remains available is unevenly distributed, creating vast disparities among nations.
Some countries enjoy vast water reserves, while others face daily struggles to secure clean water. Brazil, for instance, leads the world in renewable freshwater resources. According to the World Bank, the country holds 5,661 billion cubic meters of freshwater—roughly 13.22% of the planet’s total supply. The mighty Amazon River and year-round rainfall cement Brazil’s position as the world’s freshwater giant.
Indonesia follows not far behind, ranking seventh globally with renewable freshwater reserves reaching 2,018 billion cubic meters. This abundance is largely thanks to its archipelagic geography, which gives rise to countless rivers, lakes, and rainfall-fed ecosystems. Indonesia’s tropical climate also ensures a consistent water cycle throughout the year.
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However, this wealth of resources comes with its own challenges. As an agrarian nation, Indonesia uses about 85.2% of its freshwater for agriculture, according to the World Bank. The industrial sector consumes roughly 4.1%, while households use around 10.6%.
Despite having vast natural reserves, many Indonesians—particularly in urban areas—still rely on bottled water for drinking. Clean and potable water is not always easily accessible, and this gap has driven rising consumption of packaged water products.
Data from Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in March 2025 shows that gallon-packaged drinking water ranks 10th among the country’s most consumed commodities. On average, urban residents spend Rp2,851 per month on bottled water alone.
This trend reflects a deeper issue in the nation’s water infrastructure. While Indonesia may not face a shortage of water, it still struggles with water management and quality. Pollution, inadequate treatment facilities, and seawater intrusion—especially in coastal and urban zones—continue to degrade freshwater quality.
In the end, Indonesia’s challenge is not about having enough water. It is about ensuring that its abundant supply can be safely and fairly distributed to all, preserving this vital resource for generations to come.
