BEIJING — China saw improving efficiency in water consumption last year, as the country called for intensive and sustainable development.

In 2018, China’s water consumption per 10,000 yuan (about $1,491) of gross domestic product dropped 5.1 percent from a year earlier to 73 cubic meters, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The amount of water consumed for 10,000 yuan of industrial value added saw a decline of 5.2 percent year-on-year to 45 cubic meters last year.

The total water consumption in 2018 came in at 611 billion cubic meters, up 1.1 percent.

In breakdown, water used for ecological restoration and everyday life rose 3.8 percent and 1.4 percent, while that for agriculture and industry rose 1.1 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively.