On the basis of nation wide statistical data of out stream water use surveyed for 1980,1993 and 1997,by considering relevant social and economic conditions,comprehensive and systematic analyses of trends of water use,composition of water use and indexes of water use in the whole country and various river basin(s) are made.In the period from 1980 to 1997,the total water use of the country increased to 556 6 billion cubic meters from 443 7 billion cubic meters,with a yearly increment of 6.64 billion cubic meters and an annual increase rate of 1 34% on the average.The composition of water use significantly changed.In the period,the proportion of agricultural water use decreased from 83.4% to 70.4%,that of industrial water use increased from 10.3% to 20.2%,and that of domestic water use increased from 6.3% to 9.4%.Per capita water use remained stable,around 450 cubic meters.Overall water use efficiency increasingly rose,with a drop of water use per 10,000 yuan GDP(constant price of 1980) from 9,820 cubic meters to 2,410 cubic meters.