The 10 Driest Countries on Earth by Average Annual Rainfall

Ranking of Arid Nations (mm/year)

1. Kuwait – 1 mm
2. United Arab Emirates – 2 mm
3. Saudi Arabia – 3 mm
4. Oman – 3 mm
5. Qatar – 3 mm
6. Bahrain – 7 mm
7. Egypt – 12 mm
8. Peru – 14 mm
9. Libya – 17 mm
10. Yemen – 19 mm

Context

These nations lie in subtropical high-pressure zones (horse latitudes) or rain shadows, receiving minimal precipitation. Water scarcity drives desalination, groundwater mining, and import dependence.