Droughts are becoming more frequent, prolonged and severe with climate change, threatening water security and placing growing pressure on people, ecosystems and economies. Immediate and coordinated action across government agencies to anticipate, prevent and adapt to evolving drought risk could help limit losses and damage, while enhancing the ability of communities and economies to withstand and recover from drought.

This outlook assesses how countries can strengthen drought management to adapt to a changing climate. It provides new insights into the rising human, environmental and economic impacts of droughts and offers practical policy solutions to minimise losses, build long-term resilience and support adaptation to a drier future.

The analysis demonstrates that drought resilience cannot be achieved through water management alone. It requires coordinated action across agriculture, land use, energy, transport, industry, construction and health systems. The report also underscores the need for sustained investment in risk prevention, robust data and monitoring systems, alongside inclusive governance that addresses the needs of vulnerable populations and ecosystems.

Key findings

• The global land area affected by drought has doubled in the last 120 years.
• The economic impacts of an average drought today can be up to six times higher than in 2000, and costs are projected to rise by at least 35% by 2035.
• Climate change is driving the severity of droughts, with 40% of the planet having experienced more frequent and intense droughts in recent decades.