**2.1 Urban population growth**

Urban population growth across the world is one of the most influential phenomena affecting water availability. The population of the Maghreb region has increased rapidly over the course of the 20th century. Its present growth rate is among the highest in the world. **Table 1** shows the population grow in different countries of the


## **Table 1.**

*Population growth in the Maghreb (5 countries); in 1960 and 2021 [5].*

Maghreb (in 1960 and 2021). As shown, the overall population has increased in excess of 3 times, i.e., from 29 million in 1960 to 105.67 million in 2021. Algeria, by far is the most populated, with more than 44 million people (by census of 2021). Mauritania is the least populous country in the subregion and has approximately 4.82 million persons (by census of 2021), as shown in **Table 1**. Please note that migrator movements linked to climate disaster and regional conflict are not included in the census of population. The population growth patterns in the Maghreb show a somewhat similar trend. The world population currently is 7.875B as compared to 3.035B in 1960, an increase by 2.59 times of the population in 1960.

Uncontrolled rise in population in the Maghreb region has inordinately increased the demand for water for domestic, industrial, agricultural and municipal needs; it is certain that population growth will further impact water availability per person. The stressed areas in the Maghreb affected more by water scarcity are, also mainly those, with limited supply of water, high population, and even higher population growth rates.

Algeria—In 1960, the population of Algeria was 11.06 m and increased to 44.62 m people in 2021 (**Table 1**). Algeria is currently growing at a rate of 1.85% per year. Around 71.9% of the citizens in Algeria are living in the larger cities in 2020. This trend of average annual urban growth is 2.6% [6], which this has intensified pressure on water supply in cities since the 1990s. Unfortunately, only 30% of people in Algeria have access to safe water to drink [7].

Morocco—Between 1960 and 2021, the number of persons in Morocco have increased from 12.33 m to 37.34 m people (**Table 1**). Morocco's population is growing at a rate of 1.2% per year. Around 67.8% of Moroccan people are living in urban areas and cities in 2020. This increase of urban population in Morocco was reported at around 2% annually in 2020 [6]. Urban population growth in Morocco has increased the demand on the water supply which leads to water shortages and will continue to present specific challenges in foreseeable future, in order to make water available to everyone.

Tunisia—There were only 4.18 m persons in 1960 for Tunisia and it becomes now 11.93 million persons (2021) (**Table 1**). Tunisia's population growth rate from 2019 to 2020 is 1.06%. Around 71.1% of Tunisians people are living in urban areas in 2020. This urban growth rate in Tunisia was reported at around 1.5% annually [6]. Uncontrolled urban population growth in Tunisia remains the most critical socioeconomic problem as more supply of water will be needed to fulfill the needs of the increasing population and this will result in a shortage of water supply.

Libya—In 1960 the number of persons for Libya were around 1.4 million and reached approximately 6.96 million persons in 2021 (**Table 1**). The rate of growth in Libya has been increasing since 2015, in 2020, population growth rate for Libya was 1.4%. Around 88.4% of Libyan people are living in urban areas and cities in 2020. This growing trend of urbanization in Libya was reported at around 1.7% annually [6] and has increasingly affected the water reserves and has caused a depletion in the annual per capita of renewable water.

Mauritania—Between 1960 and 2021 the number of people in Mauritania increased from 850.4 K to 4.82 m people (**Table 1**). The birth rate in Mauritania is almost double the worldwide average, leading to an extreme annual growth rate which is currently around 2.5% per year [5]. This high rate in population growth is the foremost driver of Mauritania's water stress, as measured in units of water per capita. Further, more than half of Mauritanians live in urban areas (53%) (2017). Urban growth rates are increasing at a rate of 4.2% annually. In 2017, more than 53% of Mauritanians live in urban areas and in 2016 the percentage of people living in urban areas increase to more than 60%. Mauritania features the second most rapid urbanization rate in Africa [8].
