Poor management of water resources could stifle economic growth in some of the world's most rapidly developing economies, according to research commissioned by banking group HSBC.

The study, by consultancy Frontier Economics, estimated that by 2050 the world's 10 most populous river basins will be producing a quarter of the globe's gross domestic product, compared with 10% now. But seven of them will be facing water scarcity without significant investment in better water management.

"This could mean the GDP growth expected in the river basins would not materialise - and would therefore mean wider forecasts for emerging markets will not be achieved," the report said.

The key river systems identified by the study are mostly in China, India and North Africa.

HSBC published the report yesterday alongside plans to invest $100-million (R829-million) via the WWF, WaterAid and Earthwatch charities to improve access to safe water in these river basins, which supply some of the bank's most important markets.

On a global basis, providing universal access to safe water and sanitation could boost the world's GDP by $220-billion (R1.82-trillion) a year, the report said.