 The study presents a global assessment of past development of water stress over the period 1960 to 2001, considering not only climate variability but also growing water demand, desalinated water use and non-renewable groundwater abstraction. The results show that the global population living under water stressed conditions has drastically increased due to growing water demand, primarily for irrigation. Increased water demand is a decisive factor for heightened water stress in various regions such as India and North China, enhancing the intensity of water stress up to 200%. However, the study also suggests that in several emerging and developing economies some of past extreme events were anthropogenically driven due to increased water demand rather than being climate-induced. This article was authored by Waiwata, LPH Van Beek, and MFP Birkins. We are article.tv, links in the description below.