Water Stress, Integrated Water Governance and Socio-Economic Resilience: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review

Water stress is increasingly recognized as a multidimensional sustainability challenge affecting water security, livelihoods, food systems, social vulnerability and territorial resilience. Previous reviews have generally examined water governance, integrated water resources management or resilience as separate research streams. This article addresses this fragmentation by systematically reviewing how recent literature links water stress, integrated water governance and socio-economic resilience within a single analytical framework. Its originality lies in conceptualizing water stress as a multidimensional pressure, integrating water governance as a mediating mechanism, and conceptualizing socio-economic resilience as a differentiated outcome across territories, sectors, and vulnerable groups. In accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this review examines peer-reviewed articles and reviews found in Scopus and Web of Science from January 1, 2020, to May 31, 2026. The approach utilized three main themes: water stress and scarcity; water governance and integrated water resources management (IWRM); and socio-economic resilience, vulnerability, and adaptive capacity. From an initial collection of 486 records, the final selection included 162 studies after eliminating duplicates, screening titles and abstracts, plus assessing eligibility. The analysis incorporates systematic screening, descriptive bibliographic reviews, keyword analysis, geographical mapping, and thematic interpretation. Results indicate a significant increase in publications in journals focused on water resources, sustainability, and environmental management post-2024. Scientific output reveals a regional imbalance largely centered in Asia, followed by Europe and the Americas. The review highlights five key thematic areas: factors driving water stress; governance frameworks and institutional responses; pathways to socio-economic vulnerability; strategies for resilience and adaptive capacity; and holistic approaches that integrate water stress governance with resilience efforts. Ultimately, these findings indicate that water stress is not merely a matter of physical shortages but also involves issues of governance and resilience influenced by factors such as institutional capabilities, policy coordination processes, stakeholder involvement prioritization, infrastructure readiness, social protection mechanisms, community knowledge harnessing, and adaptability skills.