Market overview
The global desalination market is worth USD 28.1 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 60.6 bn by 2036, growing at a 8.0% CAGR. Saudi Arabia is the largest country market and Reverse osmosis is the largest by technology segment.
| Scope | Desalination of seawater and brackish water: revenue from desalinated water produced and sold, covering reverse osmosis and thermal plants for municipal and industrial customers. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals and Materials |
| Value 2025 | USD 26.0 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 28.1 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 60.6 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 8.0% |
| Volume 2026 | 35,463 million cubic metres |
| Volume 2036 | 72,836 million cubic metres |
| Average price 2026 | USD 0.79 per cubic metre |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Desalination market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 28.1 bn |
| 2027 | USD 30.3 bn |
| 2028 | USD 32.8 bn |
| 2029 | USD 35.4 bn |
| 2030 | USD 38.2 bn |
| 2031 | USD 41.3 bn |
| 2032 | USD 44.6 bn |
| 2033 | USD 48.1 bn |
| 2034 | USD 52.0 bn |
| 2035 | USD 56.1 bn |
| 2036 | USD 60.6 bn |
Desalination market segmentation
By technology
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reverse osmosis | 70.0% | 77.0% | USD 19.7 bn | 9.0% |
| Multi-stage flash | 15.0% | 9.4% | USD 4.2 bn | 3.0% |
| Multi-effect distillation | 8.0% | 6.7% | USD 2.2 bn | 6.0% |
| Electrodialysis and others | 7.0% | 7.0% | USD 2.0 bn | 8.0% |
By source
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seawater | 62.0% | 64.3% | USD 17.4 bn | 8.4% |
| Brackish water | 28.0% | 25.3% | USD 7.9 bn | 6.9% |
| River and wastewater | 10.0% | 10.4% | USD 2.8 bn | 8.4% |
By end use
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal | 63.0% | 62.9% | USD 17.7 bn | 8.0% |
| Industrial | 25.0% | 26.2% | USD 7.0 bn | 8.5% |
| Power and others | 12.0% | 10.9% | USD 3.4 bn | 7.0% |
By plant capacity
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (below 10,000 m3 per day) | 21.0% | 17.0% | USD 5.9 bn | 5.7% |
| Medium (10,000 to 100,000 m3 per day) | 39.0% | 38.0% | USD 11.0 bn | 7.7% |
| Large (above 100,000 m3 per day) | 40.0% | 45.0% | USD 11.2 bn | 9.3% |
By ownership model
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public build and operate | 34.0% | 29.0% | USD 9.5 bn | 6.3% |
| Public-private concession and water purchase | 46.0% | 51.0% | USD 12.9 bn | 9.1% |
| Private captive plants | 20.0% | 20.0% | USD 5.6 bn | 8.0% |
Top 25 countries for desalination by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 72.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 92.2%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saudi Arabia | USD 5.3 bn | 19.0% | USD 11.8 bn | 8.3% |
| 2 | United Arab Emirates | USD 3.9 bn | 14.0% | USD 7.9 bn | 7.3% |
| 3 | United States | USD 2.2 bn | 8.0% | USD 4.5 bn | 7.3% |
| 4 | China | USD 2.2 bn | 8.0% | USD 5.7 bn | 9.8% |
| 5 | Kuwait | USD 1.4 bn | 5.0% | USD 2.6 bn | 6.4% |
| 6 | Israel | USD 1.1 bn | 4.0% | USD 2.1 bn | 6.3% |
| 7 | Spain | USD 1.1 bn | 4.0% | USD 2.1 bn | 6.3% |
| 8 | Egypt | USD 983 mn | 3.5% | USD 2.6 bn | 10.2% |
| 9 | Algeria | USD 983 mn | 3.5% | USD 2.4 bn | 9.2% |
| 10 | Qatar | USD 842 mn | 3.0% | USD 1.6 bn | 6.5% |
| 11 | Australia | USD 536 mn | 1.9% | USD 1.1 bn | 7.8% |
| 12 | Oman | USD 505 mn | 1.8% | USD 1.1 bn | 8.5% |
| 13 | Morocco | USD 446 mn | 1.6% | USD 1.1 bn | 9.2% |
| 14 | India | USD 446 mn | 1.6% | USD 1.1 bn | 9.2% |
| 15 | Bahrain | USD 418 mn | 1.5% | USD 885 mn | 7.8% |
| 16 | Chile | USD 418 mn | 1.5% | USD 946 mn | 8.5% |
| 17 | Iran | USD 357 mn | 1.3% | USD 758 mn | 7.8% |
| 18 | Singapore | USD 357 mn | 1.3% | USD 758 mn | 7.8% |
| 19 | Libya | USD 329 mn | 1.2% | USD 740 mn | 8.4% |
| 20 | Japan | USD 329 mn | 1.2% | USD 643 mn | 6.9% |
| 21 | Mexico | USD 329 mn | 1.2% | USD 740 mn | 8.4% |
| 22 | Jordan | USD 329 mn | 1.2% | USD 740 mn | 8.4% |
| 23 | South Africa | USD 298 mn | 1.1% | USD 673 mn | 8.5% |
| 24 | Iraq | USD 298 mn | 1.1% | USD 673 mn | 8.5% |
| 25 | Italy | USD 267 mn | 0.9% | USD 527 mn | 7.0% |
| Rest of world | USD 2.2 bn | 7.8% | USD 4.8 bn | 8.2% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- ACWA Power
- Veolia
- Acciona
- Doosan Enerbility
- Abengoa
- FCC Aqualia
- Hitachi Zosen
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Suez
- IDE Technologies
- Aquatech International
- Sacyr
- VA Tech Wabag
- Biwater
- Sembcorp Industries
- GS Inima Environment
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Metito
- Befesa Agua
- Fisia Italimpianti
- Energy Recovery
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the desalination market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 8.0% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by technology, by source, by end use, by plant capacity, by ownership model. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the desalination market?
The global desalination market is estimated at USD 26.0 bn in 2025 and USD 28.1 bn in 2026.
How fast will the desalination market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 60.6 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 8.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 32.5 bn.
Which country is the largest market for desalination?
Saudi Arabia is the largest market by revenue at USD 5.3 bn in 2026, 19.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 41.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, Egypt is growing fastest at 10.2% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which desalination segment is largest?
In the by technology split, Reverse osmosis is the largest segment with 70.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading desalination companies?
Global leaders include ACWA Power, Veolia, Acciona, Doosan Enerbility.
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