According to the World Bank, just 2.5% of the water on Earth is freshwater, most of which is found in glaciers, ice caps and underground. Easily accessible sources like rivers and lakes make up an even smaller percentage. In total, the planet has 42.8 trillion m³ of renewable freshwater.

The largest share of this resource — 13% — is found in Brazil, primarily attributed to the Amazon Basin, which accounts for roughly one-fifth of global river flow. Russia claims 10% of global freshwater resources, including Lake Baikal, which holds 20% of the world’s unfrozen freshwater.

Source: World Bank

About 7% of freshwater resources are found in Canada and in the U.S. These nations share the Great Lakes, which contain roughly 84% of North America’s surface freshwater. However, water scarcity is an increasing concern, particularly in the southwestern U.S. where aquifers are being depleted faster than they can recharge.