World's Freshwater by Country

When it comes to freshwater, not all countries are created equal. Some nations are blessed with an abundance of lakes, rivers, and rainforests — and Brazil leads them all, holding a massive 13.2% of the world’s freshwater supply. Much of it comes from the Amazon Basin, a natural water engine unlike anything else on Earth. Russia comes next with 10.1%, largely thanks to the legendary Lake Baikal and a vast northern wilderness filled with icy rivers and deep lakes.

North America’s Liquid Wealth

Canada and the United States each hold over 6% of the planet’s freshwater. Canada, with its untouched boreal forests and glacial lakes, ranks third. The U.S. ties with China at 6.6%, with major river systems and water-rich states like Alaska contributing heavily. These nations benefit from both natural abundance and infrastructure — giving them not just water quantity, but also management power.

Southeast Asia’s Surprising Share

Southeast Asia might be known for tropical heat and monsoons, but it’s also home to some of the world’s biggest freshwater reserves. Indonesia holds 4.7% of global freshwater, thanks to its thousands of islands, rivers, and lakes that feed lush ecosystems. Myanmar, with 2.3%, also ranks in the top ten — a testament to its natural geography and rainfall patterns. These figures show that tropical rainforests are more than biodiversity hotspots — they’re water towers for the region and beyond.

A Reminder of Uneven Gifts

Water may cover most of our planet, but only 2.5% of it is freshwater — and most of that is locked away in a few countries. This list isn’t just a curiosity — it’s a geopolitical reality. As climate change and overconsumption threaten global water security, knowing where the water is (and how it’s managed) is more critical than ever. These ten countries hold the key to the world’s most essential resource.