The global land area affected by drought has doubled over the past 120 years, with economic and human costs increasing sharply. According to a new OECD report, the average cost of a drought by 2035 is projected to be at least 35% higher than today.
The report, Global Drought Outlook: Trends, Impacts and Policies to Adapt to a Drier World, finds that climate change is driving more frequent and intense droughts, with over 40% of the planet already affected. The OECD urges immediate, coordinated policy responses across governments and sectors to better anticipate, prevent, and adapt to drought risks.
Droughts now impact far more than agriculture, disrupting trade, energy production, and industry. Since 1980, 37% of global land has experienced significant soil moisture loss, while groundwater levels in over 60% of monitored aquifers have declined. Droughts also contribute to deaths, poverty, inequality, and displacement.
“We need coordinated action across borders and sectors to reduce drought risk and its impact on food, health, energy, and security,” said OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann. “Sustainable water, land, and ecosystem management can build resilience and reduce economic losses.”
The Outlook highlights practical solutions: water reuse and harvesting, drought-tolerant crops, efficient irrigation, and sustainable land use. Broader adoption of these tools is essential to enhance preparedness and protect communities and economies in a drying world.