In 2022, an estimated 91 percent of the world population had access to at least basic drinking water services.
Access was highest in Europe and North America and Australia and New Zealand, with approximately 100 percent of both regions having access to at least basic drinking water services.
Access to safe drinking water
Improved drinking water refers to a source that can be adequately protected from outside contamination, mostly by fecal matter. An improved sanitation facility keeps human waste out of reach, for example, by using a flush toilet or a septic tank. These protected sources include rainwater, protected springs, and piped water into a dwelling. Global investments in water supply infrastructure are expected to increase.
Global water inequality
In most regions of the world, 90 percent of the population has access to at least basic drinking water services. However, just 65 percent of the population in sub-Saharan Africa and 60 percent of the population in Oceania had basic access in 2022. In sub-Saharan Africa, about 16 percent of people had access to unimproved water sources and eight percent only had access to surface waters. Unimproved water sources include bottled water and tanker-trucks. Currently, eight out of ten people living in rural areas still lack even basic drinking water services. A lack of access to safe water is considered one of the top risks based on impact to global societies.
Share of population with access to at least basic drinking water services worldwide in 2022, by SDG region
Including basic and safely managed drinking water services
Supplementary notes
Safely managed drinking water services refer to improved sources accessible on premises, available when needed and free of contamination; whereas basic drinking water services are improved sources within 30 minutes round trip collection time.
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UNICEF, & WHO. (July 5, 2023). Share of population with access to at least basic drinking water services worldwide in 2022, by SDG region [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved September 01, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/267480/population-with-access-to-advanced-drinking-water-sources-by-world-regions/
UNICEF, und WHO. "Share of population with access to at least basic drinking water services worldwide in 2022, by SDG region." Chart. July 5, 2023. Statista. Accessed September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/267480/population-with-access-to-advanced-drinking-water-sources-by-world-regions/
UNICEF, WHO. (2023). Share of population with access to at least basic drinking water services worldwide in 2022, by SDG region. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/267480/population-with-access-to-advanced-drinking-water-sources-by-world-regions/
UNICEF, and WHO. "Share of Population with Access to at Least Basic Drinking Water Services Worldwide in 2022, by Sdg Region." Statista, Statista Inc., 5 Jul 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/267480/population-with-access-to-advanced-drinking-water-sources-by-world-regions/
UNICEF & WHO, Share of population with access to at least basic drinking water services worldwide in 2022, by SDG region Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/267480/population-with-access-to-advanced-drinking-water-sources-by-world-regions/ (last visited September 01, 2024)
Share of population with access to at least basic drinking water services worldwide in 2022, by SDG region [Graph], UNICEF, & WHO, July 5, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/267480/population-with-access-to-advanced-drinking-water-sources-by-world-regions/