GLOBAL BOTTLED WATER MARKET (2025 - 2030)

In 2024, the Global Bottled Water Market was valued at USD 342.5 billion, and it is projected to reach USD 514 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7% during 2025–2030.

The market continues expanding due to rising concerns over drinking water quality, increasing health consciousness, rapid urbanization, and the shift away from sugary carbonated beverages. Bottled water is perceived as pure, safe, and convenient, making it a preferred hydration choice for home consumption, workplaces, outdoor activities, and travel.

The market is also being driven by premiumization trends, where brands introduce mineral-rich, alkaline, artesian, spring, and electrolyte-infused water varieties targeted toward health-conscious consumers. Meanwhile, flavored and functional bottled water is gaining traction among younger demographics seeking taste + nutrition benefits. Additionally, improvements in distribution channels, particularly e-commerce and on-the-go vending networks, have made bottled water more accessible than ever before.

Key Market Insights

• In 2024, bottled water accounted for over 27% of the total global non-alcoholic beverage consumption, reflecting its position as a widely preferred hydration choice across demographics.
• Still water held nearly 64% of total bottled water sales due to its affordability, neutral taste, and suitability for daily use in both home and commercial settings.
• PET plastic bottles made up over 80% of packaging volume, supported by their lightweight structure, lower production costs, and convenience for mass distribution.
• Online bottled water sales increased by ~21% YoY, driven by subscription-based home delivery, e-commerce retailing, and quick-commerce grocery applications.
• Online grocery and beverages retailing grew significantly post-COVID, with bottled water among the most frequently purchased recurring items.
   
• The Asia-Pacific region accounted for over 38% of worldwide market volume, propelled by urban population growth, rising disposable incomes, and heightened awareness regarding water purity and safety.
•  Global bottled water consumption continues to rise, reaching over 350 billion liters annually, driven by urban lifestyles and water safety concerns.
   
• According to the World Health Organization, 2.2 billion people globally lack access to safely managed drinking water, which is a major driver pushing consumers toward bottled water.
   
• Plastic packaging accounts for roughly 70–80% of bottled water containers globally, raising sustainability challenges that are now pushing companies toward recycled and alternative materials.Source

Market Drivers

Rising Health & Wellness Consciousness is Increasing the Preference for Bottled Water Over Sugary and Carbonated Beverages

A growing global shift toward healthier eating and drinking habits is significantly influencing beverage choices. Consumers are becoming more aware of the health risks associated with sugary soft drinks, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders. As a result, many individuals are actively reducing their intake of sodas, juices with added sugar, and artificially flavored beverages. Bottled water stands out as a pure, zero-calorie, and naturally hydrating alternative, making it the preferred everyday drink among health-conscious consumers.
Additionally, lifestyle trends such as fitness routines, yoga, wellness retreats, and sports culture are further promoting hydration awareness. Brands are enhancing this shift through targeted marketing that highlights features such as alkaline pH balance, natural spring sourcing, mineral-rich content, and electrolyte replenishment, reinforcing the idea that bottled water is not just hydration, but part of a health-focused lifestyle identity.

Growing Concerns Regarding Tap Water Safety are Driving Consumers Toward Packaged Drinking Water as a Reliable and Consistent Source

In many countries, especially those experiencing rapid urbanization, water quality issues remain a critical concern. Aging pipelines, industrial discharge, chemical pollutants, microbial contamination, and inconsistent purification infrastructure often create doubts about the safety of tap water. Even in developed markets where municipal water is treated, periodic contamination incidents, advisory alerts, and changes in taste or odor can reduce consumer confidence.
This creates a preference for bottled water as a controlled, sealed, and standardized hydration source that consumers can trust across contexts such as travel, workplaces, schools, healthcare institutions, hospitality environments, outdoor recreation, and emergency storage. The perception of bottled water as safe, clean, and always accessible makes it a dependable choice and this psychological trust factor continues to sustain market demand globally.

Market Opportunities

There is significant opportunity in the premium and functional bottled water segment, including probiotic-infused water, natural mineral water, electrolyte-enhanced hydration, and vitamin-infused flavored water. Consumers today are seeking beverages that offer added nutritional or performance benefits, particularly athletes, gym-goers, corporate professionals, and youth demographics. Additionally, eco-friendly packaging innovation, such as plant-based bottles, aluminum cans, and glass bottle return programs, provides major expansion potential for brands wanting to differentiate on sustainability. The rise of D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) subscription water delivery services also presents scalable growth opportunities, especially in urban centers.

Market Restraints

One of the primary restraints in the market is the environmental impact of plastic waste, particularly from single-use PET bottles, which contributes to land and ocean pollution. Increasing regulatory pressure, plastic bans, recycling mandates, and consumer backlash against plastic packaging pose challenges to conventional bottled water brands. Additionally, the availability of home water purifiers and advanced filtration systems is reducing dependence on bottled water in some markets.

BOTTLED WATER MARKET

Market Segmentation

Segmentation by Product Type

• Still Water
• Sparkling Water
• Flavored Water
• Functional/Enhanced Water

Still water continues to command the largest share in the bottled water market primarily due to its accessibility and affordability. It is the most commonly purchased category for daily hydration, with widespread consumption across home settings, workplaces, schools, travel, fitness centers, and restaurants. The product is also available in a wide variety of bottle sizes (200 ml to multi-liter packs), catering to individual, family, and bulk needs. Its neutral taste, low price, and broad retail distribution make it the default choice for consumers who prioritize hydration and convenience over additional flavor or functional benefits.

Functional water, infused with minerals, electrolytes, vitamins, antioxidants, or alkaline properties, is witnessing rapid growth, driven by the global shift toward wellness-oriented lifestyles. Consumers are increasingly aware of hydration’s role in fitness performance, immunity, and energy levels, leading them to choose products that offer hydration + health benefits. Younger consumers, gym-goers, and working professionals are particularly drawn to functional water as a healthier alternative to sports drinks and sodas. Marketing campaigns centered around performance hydration, clean nutrition, and natural ingredients further accelerate this segment’s momentum.

Segmentation by Packaging Material

• PET Bottles
• Glass Bottles
• Cans
• Others

PET bottles dominate the packaging landscape because they are lightweight, shatter-resistant, cost-effective, and easy to transport, making them ideal for both everyday usage and long-distance distribution. PET packaging is also widely supported by existing manufacturing, filling, and recycling infrastructure, enabling scalability for large bottling companies. Retail sales, vending machines, and on-the-go consumption are still heavily dependent on PET bottle formats, reinforcing their strong market presence.

Glass bottles are experiencing increasing adoption in premium mineral water and luxury hydration brands, as well as among environmentally conscious consumers. Glass is perceived as pure, non-reactive, and sustainable, making it appealing to buyers who associate bottled water purity with its packaging. Many upscale restaurants, organic grocery stores, and lifestyle beverage brands are switching to glass bottling to enhance brand image, product positioning, and sustainability commitment. While production and shipping costs are higher, the eco-friendly, refillable, and reusable nature of glass supports long-term growth.

Segmentation by Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Online Retail
• HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, Cafes)

Supermarkets remain the dominant distribution channel due to high consumer footfall, bulk purchase affordability, and large brand variety. Families and regular consumers prefer supermarkets for weekly or monthly stocking, making them a key channel for portfolio-wide brand visibility, promotional campaigns, and volume sales. Retail shelf presence strongly influences brand selection, allowing supermarkets to play a critical role in shaping consumer preference.

Online retail is growing rapidly as consumers increasingly value home delivery convenience, subscription-based bottled water services, auto-refill options, and comparative price checking. E-commerce platforms also enable premium and niche brands, such as mineral, alkaline, and artisanal spring waters — to reach consumers outside physical store networks. The growth of quick commerce apps, 10-minute delivery services, and water delivery aggregators is further boosting online sales momentum.

Regional Analysis

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Asia-Pacific leads with the largest market share, driven by large population, urbanization, and drinking water safety concerns. North America shows strong demand for premium and functional water, supported by fitness-focused consumers. Europe maintains a stable market, with high consumption of mineral and sparkling water. Middle East & Africa rely heavily on bottled water due to limited freshwater availability.

Latest Trends & Developments

The bottled water market is currently witnessing a strong move toward premiumization and health-driven product differentiation. Brands are increasingly launching alkaline, mineral-enriched, electrolyte-infused, and natural spring water variants to cater to lifestyle and performance hydration trends. Sustainability is becoming central, with companies investing in plant-based bottles, recycled PET (rPET), biodegradable materials, and refillable glass packaging to reduce plastic waste and comply with global environmental regulations. Flavored and lightly carbonated waters are gaining popularity among younger consumers seeking taste without sugar, while mini and travel-sized bottles are in high demand for on-the-go convenience. Additionally, celebrity and influencer partnerships have become a key promotional strategy, positioning bottled water as part of a wellness, beauty, and active lifestyle identity rather than just a hydration product.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic had a notable impact on the bottled water market, particularly during the initial stages of 2020, when consumers prioritized safety, hygiene, and essential commodities. Panic buying behavior led to a sharp rise in household demand, as bottled water was perceived as a clean and safe drinking source compared to uncertain tap water quality in many regions. Hospitals, quarantine centers, and essential service institutions also relied heavily on bottled water supplies, further supporting market resilience during lockdowns. However, the market also faced certain temporary disruptions , including logistics slowdowns, supply chain delays, and reduced consumption in HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, Cafes) due to closures in the hospitality sector. As restrictions eased, demand normalized but remained structurally higher than pre-pandemic levels, as consumers developed lasting preferences for convenience, safety, and reliable hydration. In the post-COVID period, brands shifted focus toward larger multi-pack formats, home delivery subscriptions, and recyclable packaging, strengthening both retail and online distribution channels.

Latest Market News

• March 2024: Evian introduced a new range of 100% recycled PET (rPET) bottle packaging in select global markets as part of its long-term goal to achieve fully circular packaging and reduce plastic waste across its supply chain.
• July 2024: Coca-Cola’s Dasani expanded its aluminum and refillable bottle portfolio, reducing reliance on single-use plastic and supporting sustainable packaging initiatives across retail and food-service outlets.
• September 2024: Nestlé Waters launched a new electrolyte-enhanced functional hydration water in key Asian markets, targeting health-conscious consumers and the growing fitness beverage segment.
• January 2025: PepsiCo’s Aquafina rolled out a zero-calorie flavored sparkling water line, tapping into the rising demand for flavored, sugar-free, and carbonated functional beverages among younger demographics.

Key Players

• Nestlé Waters
• PepsiCo (Aquafina)
• Coca-Cola (Dasani)
• Danone (Evian, Volvic)
• Fiji Water
• VOSS
• Gerolsteiner
• Mountain Valley Spring
• Bisleri
• Nongfu Spring