This Evidence on Demand Topic Guide provides an introduction to the topic of water security and its contribution to economic growth, outlining the importance of various social, economic and institutional barriers to water security. In addition, the Guide presents evidence on the economic benefits of improving water security and discusses the need to scale up investment in information, infrastructure and institutions.

This Topic Guide provides key concepts and tools that can be used to assess water-security issues and the potential economic benefits of doing so in particular contexts.