UN Report Warns of Accelerating Global Land Drying Trends

More than 40% of Earth's landmass is now classified as drylands, with billions of people facing permanent environmental and economic challenges.

A UN report reveals that 77.6% of Earth's landmass became drier between 1990 and 2020, with drylands now covering over 40% of the planet's surface.
The transformation includes an area larger than India shifting from humid to dryland status, while 3.3 million square kilometers have moved into more severe aridity categories.
The crisis affects 2.3 billion people today, a figure projected to rise to 5 billion by the century's end, with severe consequences for food systems, displacement, and economic stability.
Factors driving aridity include climate change, deforestation, groundwater depletion, and unsustainable agricultural practices, creating a permanent shift rather than temporary drought conditions.
The report highlights the need for global cooperation, sustainable land management, and innovative water-use technologies to mitigate the crisis and build resilience.