UN Reports Over Two Billion Lack Safe Drinking Water Access

More than two billion people globally lack access to safely-managed drinking water, according to a report released by the United Nations on Tuesday. This alarming statistic highlights the slow progress towards achieving universal water coverage, with the UN’s health and children’s agencies indicating that nearly one in four individuals is affected.

The joint report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF revealed that over 100 million people still depend on surface water sources, such as rivers and ponds, for drinking. The agencies emphasized that inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services significantly heighten the risk of disease for billions worldwide.

Universal Coverage Target at Risk

The report warns that the world is falling short of the 2030 goal for universal WASH services. The target is now described as “increasingly out of reach.” Ruediger Krech, WHO’s environment chief, stated, “Water, sanitation and hygiene are not privileges: they are basic human rights. We must accelerate action, especially for the most marginalised communities.”

The assessment categorized drinking water services into five distinct levels, with “safely managed” being the highest. This category requires water to be accessible directly on premises, readily available, and free from contamination. The other categories include basic, limited, unimproved, and surface water.

Since 2015, approximately 961 million people have gained access to safely-managed drinking water, with global coverage increasing from 68 percent to 74 percent. However, the number of individuals lacking these services remains staggering, with 2.1 billion people affected as of last year. Of those, 106 million still relied on surface water sources, a decrease of 61 million over the past decade.

The report also noted a positive trend, with the number of countries eliminating the dependence on surface water for drinking increasing from 142 in 2015 to 154 in 2024. Currently, 89 countries have achieved universal access to at least basic drinking water, while 31 countries provide access to safely managed services.

Challenges in Sanitation and Hygiene

In terms of sanitation, the report indicated that 1.2 billion people have gained access to safely managed sanitation services since 2015, resulting in an increase in coverage from 48 percent to 58 percent. Safely managed sanitation services are defined as improved facilities not shared with other households, where waste is either treated on-site or removed for treatment.

The number of individuals practicing open defecation has also seen a decline, with the figure decreasing by 429 million to 354 million in 2024, representing around 4 percent of the global population. Since 2015, 1.6 billion people have gained access to basic hygiene services, which include facilities for handwashing with soap and water at home, raising coverage from 66 percent to 80 percent.

Cecilia Scharp, UNICEF’s director for WASH, highlighted the critical implications of these inequalities. “When children lack access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, their health, education, and futures are put at risk,” she stated. She further emphasized that these disparities are particularly pronounced for girls, who often bear the burden of water collection and face additional challenges during menstruation. Scharp concluded, “At the current pace, the promise of safe water and sanitation for every child is slipping further from reach.”