OLAS Population-based Water Stress and Risk Dataset for Latin America and the Caribbean

By Water and Sanitation Division (VPS/INE/WSA)

The OLAS Population-based Water Stress and Risk Dataset is an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) dataset that estimates the populations and land areas exposed to water stress and water risk across 27 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) at the municipal level. While LAC is the most water-rich region in the world by most metrics, water resources are not distributed in line with demand; this dataset lets users explore vulnerability to multiple dimensions of water risk throughout the region.

What the dataset contains

The dataset provides population and land-area estimates for factors related to water risk. It covers categories of 18 factors related to water risk and 39 indices of water risk, with population estimates within each. Estimates can be aggregated at the basin, state, country and regional level.

Methodology and sources

The population data come from the WorldPop project's 2020 UN-adjusted population projections. Estimates of water stress and risk come from the World Resources Institute's (WRI) Aqueduct 3.0 Water Risk Framework. Municipal administrative boundaries are taken from the Database of Global Administrative Areas (GADM). For methodological detail, users are referred to IDB Technical Note IDB-TN-2411, "Scarcity in the Land of Plenty," and to WRI's "Aqueduct 3.0: Updated Decision-relevant Global Water Risk Indicators."

Use

The dataset supports research and policy analysis on water stress, water scarcity and water risk, and on related public-sector, infrastructure, health and rural and urban development questions in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is distributed as a CSV file.

Show more

Metadata & use

Identifier https://doi.org/10.60966/pb1wfxl0
License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Related Knowledge Product
Citation

Inter-American Development Bank (2023). OLAS Population-based Water Stress and Risk Dataset for Latin America and the Caribbean. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/pb1wfxl0

Published date 2023-03-16
Modified date 2026-08-26
Tags/Keywords Water Stress
Language
  1. English
Temporal coverage 2020-2020
Country
Argentina
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Trinidad & Tobago
Uruguay
Venezuela
Region Latin America and the Caribbean
Publisher
Inter-American Development Bank
Author
Inter-American Development Bank
Data collection type Observational Data
Statistical type Cross-sectional Data
Data structure Structured Data
Data notes

What does this dataset measure?

It provides estimates of the populations and land areas living in areas of water stress and water risk across Latin America and the Caribbean, at the municipal level, allowing users to explore vulnerability to multiple dimensions of water risk.

How many countries does it cover?

It covers 27 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

At what geographic level are the data available?

The data are provided at the municipal level, with aggregations possible at the basin, state, country and regional level.

How many water-risk factors and indices does it include?

It contains categories of 18 factors related to water risk and 39 indices of water risk, with population estimates within each.

Where do the population data come from?

The population data come from the WorldPop project's 2020 UN-adjusted population projections.

Where do the water stress and risk estimates come from?

The estimates of water stress and risk come from the World Resources Institute's (WRI) Aqueduct 3.0 Water Risk Framework. Municipal administrative boundaries are from the Database of Global Administrative Areas (GADM).

What reference year do the estimates use?

The population estimates are based on WorldPop's 2020 UN-adjusted population projections.

Where can I find the methodology?

For methodological detail, the dataset refers users to IDB Technical Note IDB-TN-2411, "Scarcity in the Land of Plenty," and to WRI's "Aqueduct 3.0: Updated Decision-relevant Global Water Risk Indicators."

What can the dataset be used for?

It supports research and policy analysis on water stress, water scarcity and water risk, and on related public-sector, infrastructure, health and rural and urban development questions across Latin America and the Caribbean.

What format and license apply to this dataset?

The dataset is distributed as a CSV file under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed).

How do I cite this dataset?

Cite it as: Inter-American Development Bank (2023). OLAS Population-based Water Stress and Risk Dataset for Latin America and the Caribbean. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/pb1wfxl0

Dataset files

Load more