In MENA countries, the economic cost (foregone extractive uses) of full groundwater depletion was estimated at 1-2.1% of GDP (excluding in situ values) (Ruta, 2005) (Figure C.15). In China, the cost of groundwater depletion (excluding the existence value) was estimated at CNY 92 (USD 12) billion, based on the scarcity value of water (World Bank, 2007). This is a major concern in nine of the 11 European countries where coastal groundwater overexploitation was reported (Figure C.16).