Asit K. Biswas | India Water Review, 2015, Volume 5, Issue 2, pages 20-21
The world population is estimated to increase by some 2.3 billion by 2050, to 9.6 billion. Not only safe water will have to be provided for the extra population expected, but also their water-related needs have to be met in terms of food production, energy generation, environmental quality and industrial and commercial activities. To compound the problem, the number of middle class households is increasing even at a faster rate: from 1.8 billion in 2009 to 3.2 billion in 2020 and 4.9 billion by 2030. This emerging class is more educated and media-savvy and demanding progressively increasing standard of living and quality of life.